Methods and Devices for Puncturing Tissue

ABSTRACT

A method and system are disclosed for puncturing tissue, comprising a puncture device for puncturing tissue and a supporting member for supporting the puncture device. The puncture device is capable of being insertable within the supporting member and being selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to systems and methods for creating a puncture in tissue. More specifically, the disclosure relates to systems and methods for creating a puncture using an assembly including a puncture device and a supporting member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be readily understood, embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are illustrations of a transseptal assembly in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 1C and 1D show a dilator comprising a reinforcing member in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1E shows a locking mechanism for enabling coupling of a sheath and dilator during use, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1F is an illustration of a dilator hub with keys for enabling locking of the dilator hub to the sheath hub, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an illustration of a flow diagram showing a method of performing a transseptal procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2B-2G illustrate steps of a method of performing a transseptal procedure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an illustration of a transseptal assembly in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows an assembly comprising a dilator, a stylet defining a reinforcing member, and an RF wire, in a drop down position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C shows an assembly comprising a dilator, a stylet defining a reinforcing member, and an RF wire, in an arcing position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is an illustration of a flow diagram showing a method of performing a transseptal procedure, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4B-4G illustrate steps of a method of performing a transseptal procedure, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an illustration of a transseptal assembly in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B shows a locking mechanism for enabling coupling of a stylet and RF wire during use, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C shows a stylet and RF wire in a locked position, in accordance with a step of an embodiment of a method of the present invention;

FIG. 5D shows a stylet and RF wire within a dilator for a drop down position, in accordance with a step of a method of the present invention;

FIG. 5E shows a stylet and RF wire within a dilator in an arcing position, in accordance with a step of a method of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5F shows a stylet and RF wire, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is an illustration of a flow diagram showing a method of performing a transseptal procedure, in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6B-6H illustrate steps of a method of performing a transseptal procedure, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a dilator, in accordance with additional alternate embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to carry out a transseptal procedure, it is necessary to gain access to the heart. Access may be obtained (specifically to the right atrium of the heart) from a superior approach (by gaining access to the heart from an access point above the heart, for example from the jugular vein through the superior vena cava), or alternatively access may be obtained from the femoral or inferior approach (by gaining access to the heart from an access point below the heart, for example from the femoral vein through the inferior vena cava). Once access is obtained into the right atrium, a puncture device is utilized in order to puncture through tissue for example across a septum of the heart to gain access from the right atrium into the left atrium of the heart.

Some conventional transseptal procedures, for example some that use the inferior approach to gain access to the heart, use a needle in order to carry out a transseptal puncture. Certain limitations may be associated with the use of needles or other rigid devices for carrying out a transseptal puncture procedure.

These limitations may include one or more of: (1) need for a separate exchange wire to gain access to the SVC resulting in multiple device exchanges on the right side. (2) the use of a needle may require multiple device exchanges in order to complete the procedure; (3) difficulty in correcting placement of the puncture device after insertion within the right atrium if the target location on the fossa is missed; (4) there may be a lack of repeatability for certain aspects of the procedure for completing the puncture in an effective and timely manner, (5) the puncture device may not provide sufficient atraumacity and may result in excessive force being applied to puncture tissue resulting in damage to tissue; (6) possible risk of trauma to the structures within the left atrium following puncture due to the force of advancement; (7) there may be a lack of adequate anchoring after puncture to maintain access; (8) need for an additional exchange on the left side requiring removal of the puncture device and advancement of another wire (such as a pigtail wire) to facilitate anchoring, and/or (9) trackability to allow additional devices to be tracked over the wire once in the left side.

The inventors of the present invention have discovered systems and methods that attempt to overcome the limitations associated with prior art systems.

In some such examples, where a sharp mechanical needle is used, the device may not be sufficiently atraumatic to minimize the risk of damage to tissue, and the mechanical needle does not provide adequate anchoring after puncture.

In other examples, where an energy based needle such as an RF needle is used, the RF needle may require multiple device exchanges, and there may be lack of repeatability for one or more steps in the procedure, leading to increased procedural time and/or inefficiency. Furthermore, the RF needle may not provide adequate anchoring after puncture.

In one broad aspect, the present inventors have discovered systems and methods that provide an RF wire and devices for supporting the same, in order to facilitate a transseptal puncture, for example using the inferior approach. The systems and methods of the present invention attempt to overcome limitations associated with conventional transseptal systems that utilize needles in order to complete the transseptal puncture procedure. Some such conventional transseptal procedures that require the use of a needle, use the inferior approach to gain access to the heart, in order to carry out the transseptal puncture.

Current rigid mechanical needles provide a sharp tip in order to puncture tissue. Such mechanical needles may have several limitations which may include one or more of: (1) the sharp mechanical needle may not provide sufficient artramaticity and may result in excessive force being applied to puncture tissue resulting in damage to tissue; (2) possibly risk of trauma to the structures within the left atrium following puncture due to the force of advancement (3) need for an additional exchange on the left side requiring removal of the needle and advancement of another wire (such as a pigtail wire) to facilitate anchoring, and/or trackability to allow additional devices to be tracked over the wire once in left side

Furthermore, current rigid energy-based devices used for puncturing tissue may also have one or more of the several limitations noted herein above.

Inventors of the present invention have developed various embodiments of a novel system and method that involves providing, in one broad aspect, a puncture device having two components: (1) a separate puncturing component or member and (2) a substantially rigid and/or stiff supporting member that is that is removable or independent from the puncturing component or member, allowing the supporting member to be used selectively with the puncturing device.

In some examples, the (1) separate puncturing component or member comprises a substantially flexible tissue puncturing component or member. In some such examples, the separate substantially flexible tissue puncturing component or member may be substantially atraumatic. Furthermore, in some examples, the separate substantially flexible tissue puncturing component or member may have a relatively sharp component such as a relatively sharp distal tip component.

In some embodiments, the Inventors of the present invention have developed a novel system that involves providing a stiff energy-based puncture device having two components: (1) a flexible [atraumatic] energy based puncturing device or member such as a radiofrequency (RF) wire and (2) a stiff supporting member such as a reinforcing member, that is removable or independent from the flexible energy based puncturing device.

In another broad aspect, a novel assembly is provided including a decoupled needle assembly comprising: a (1) a substantially flexible tissue puncturing member or component for puncturing tissue (which may additionally be substantially atraumatic), and (2) a substantially stiff needle shaft for supporting the puncturing member that is selectively usable with it. In some such embodiments, the needle shaft is substantially rigid to provide force transmission capabilities but lacks tissue puncturing capabilities (in other words the needle shaft is still sufficiently atraumatic so as not to puncture tissue).

Thus, some embodiments of the present invention include separating the components of an puncture device into two independently operable components that form an assembly and thereby provide two separate and independent functionalities, (i) that of puncturing tissue with a substantially flexible and/or atraumatic component (such as a flexible energy delivery device but not limited thereto) and (ii) that of supporting the substantially atraumatic puncturing component using a substantially stiff or rigid needle shaft. Such embodiments provide one or more advantages not previously realized or realizable using existing systems.

The advantages may include one or more of: (i) providing a substantially flexible and/or atraumatic puncture device (such as an energy delivery puncture device) while (ii) providing a substantially rigid supporting member such as a rigid needle shaft for supporting the substantially atraumatic puncture device:

-   -   enabling the substantially flexible puncture device to be usable         separately from the substantially rigid supporting member to         enable the substantially flexible puncture device to function as         an exchange wire;     -   enabling the substantially flexible puncture device to be usable         in co-operation with the substantially rigid supporting member         for example by allowing the substantially rigid supporting         member to be advanced over the substantially flexible puncture         device to allow sufficient force transmission and/or torque to         be transmitted to the distal tip of the assembly (for example,         to facilitate the drop down procedure to locate the fossa as         described herein below) and to provide adequate support to         facilitate puncture (using the substantially flexible puncture         device and to facilitate crossing with the substantially         flexible puncture device);     -   enabling use of the substantially flexible puncture device to be         usable separately from the substantially rigid supporting member         to enable the substantially flexible puncture device to         additionally function as a puncturing device to puncture tissue         while minimizing the risk of damage to tissue (such as for         example, non-punctured tissue) during puncture and to facilitate         crossing using the substantially flexible puncture device;     -   enabling the substantially flexible puncture device to be usable         separately from the substantially rigid supporting member to         minimize risk of damage to tissue, for example on the left side         of the heart once access has been obtained, for example in a         transseptal puncture by providing an atraumatic tip and reducing         the amount of force needed to puncture tissue, for example, by         using delivery of energy;     -   enabling the substantially rigid supporting member such as the         needle shaft to be removed or retracted to enable repositioning         of the assembly against the target tissue site by allowing the         substantially flexible (which may additionally be atraumatic)         energy delivery puncture device to be usable independently from         the substantially rigid supporting member to be re-tracked into         a desired vasculature to enable the substantially rigid support         member to be re-advanced over the substantially flexible energy         delivery device for example, to repeat a drop down procedure in         a transseptal puncture for positioning the assembly against the         fossa;     -   enabling the substantially rigid support member such as the         needle shaft to be removed after puncturing, allowing the         substantially atraumatic energy delivery device to be usable         independently from the substantially rigid supporting member to         provide anchoring after puncture using the puncturing device by         allowing it to remain positioned on the left side of the heart         to maintain access to the left side of heart, and to         additionally allow for track-ability of additional devices over         the puncture device for guidance into the left side of the         heart.

The system of the present invention provides several advantages corresponding to the aforementioned problems where providing a substantially flexible atraumatic puncture device such as an RF wire in combination with a separate or independent support member such as a substantially rigid needle shaft or a reinforcing member (for example that forms a substantially rigid needle shaft) that is selectively usable with the substantially flexible atraumatic puncture device, provides the following advantages:

a) the system enables the reinforcing member to be advanced over the RF wire allowing the RF wire to function as an exchange wire, which may help streamline work flow and reduce the number of device exchanges on the right side of the heart, to help reduce procedural time and complexity; b) the system enables repeatability of the drop down procedure by enabling partial removal or partial retraction or withdrawal of the reinforcing member to enable re-positioning and/or re-advancement of the RF puncturing device such as the RF wire within the SVC without requiring an additional exchange; c) the system additionally enables removal of the reinforcing member after puncture: (i) to allow the RF wire to remain positioned within the left atrium to help avoid the risk of trauma: and/or (ii) to enable anchoring within the left side, without requiring an additional exchange, for example to enhance procedural safety or efficiency: and/or (iii) to allow the RF wire to be maintained within the left atrium for trackability or in other words to assist in subsequent device delivery or subsequently tracking devices over the RF wire. The benefit of minimizing exchanges, in addition to reducing time/steps, is minimizing risk of infection. This is particularly important on the left side of the heart, where any unnecessary exchanges may lead to increased risk of embolism, strokes, etc.

As described above, in some embodiments, the substantially flexible tissue puncturing component or member is selectively usable with the substantially rigid supporting member. In some such examples, selectively usable refers to the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device being capable of being detachably usable or selectively insertable within or detachably coupled to the supporting member in order to be used with the supporting member during a portion of the procedure and being removable, detachable or retractable from the supporting member, or otherwise usable independently from the supporting member during another portion of the procedure.

In one broad aspect embodiments of the present invention comprise a needle assembly for puncturing tissue and enhancing procedural efficiency by facilitating exchange and positioning, the needle assembly comprising: a puncture device for puncturing tissue: and a supporting member for supporting the puncture device; Wherein the puncture device is capable of being insertable within the supporting member and being selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure.

In another broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise an assembly for puncturing tissue, the assembly comprising: a substantially flexible puncture device for puncturing tissue, and a supporting member for supporting the substantially flexible puncturing device: Wherein the substantially flexible puncture device is capable of being selectively insertable within the supporting member to be selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the substantially flexible puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to puncture tissue while facilitating exchange and positioning.

In another broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise an assembly for puncturing tissue, the assembly comprising: a substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device for puncturing tissue via delivery of energy; and a supporting member for supporting the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device: Wherein the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device is capable of being selectively insertable within the supporting member to be selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to facilitate exchange and positioning while providing substantially atraumatic puncture of tissue.

In another broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a needle assembly for puncturing tissue, the needle assembly comprising: a flexible puncture device for puncturing tissue: and a stiffening member for supporting the puncture device; Wherein the puncture device is capable of being selectively usable in co-operation with the stiffening member during a portion of the procedure and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to puncture tissue and to enhance procedural efficiency by facilitating exchange and positioning.

In another broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for puncturing tissue, the method comprising the steps of: (i) accessing a region of tissue within a patient's body by advancing a device into the region of tissue; and (ii) positioning a device at a target tissue site in the region of tissue by tracking a supporting member over the device to support the device to advance the device towards a target tissue site in order to position the device at the target tissue site for puncturing; wherein the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using the same device, wherein the device is usable without the supporting member during the step of accessing and wherein the device is usable with the supporting member during the step of positioning.

In still another broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprises a method for puncturing tissue, the method comprising the steps of: (i) accessing a region of tissue within a patient's body using an access device; and (ii) positioning a device at a target tissue site in the region of tissue by tracking a supporting member along with the device along a path defined by the access device to support the device to advance the device towards a target tissue site in order to position the device at the target tissue site for puncturing; wherein the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using separate devices, wherein step of accessing is performed without the supporting member and wherein the device is usable with the supporting member during the step of positioning.

In one broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprises a method for puncturing tissue, the method comprising the steps of: advancing a flexible puncture device into a region of tissue; advancing a sheath and a supporting member over the flexible puncture device into the region of tissue; withdrawing the flexible puncture device into the supporting member, positioning the flexible puncture device, the sheath and the supporting member as an assembly at a target tissue site in the region of tissue; tenting with the supporting member, advancing the flexible puncture device to puncture position; puncturing and advancing flexible puncture device; and crossing the sheath and dilator over the flexible puncture device.

In another broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for carrying out a transseptal puncture, comprising the steps of: advancing an RF guidewire into a superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire into the superior vena cava; withdrawing the RF guidewire into the dilator, dropping down from the superior vena cava into a heart to find the fossa; tenting with the dilator, advancing the RF guidewire to puncture position; puncturing using the RF guidewire and advancing the RF guidewire; and crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire.

In still another broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for carrying out a transseptal puncture, the method comprising the steps of: advancing an RF guidewire into a superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire into the superior vena cava; inserting a stylet in the dilator until it reaches a stop; withdrawing the RF guidewire into the stylet dropping down from the superior vena cava into a heart to find the fossa; tenting with the dilator, advancing RF wire to puncture position; puncturing and advancing RF wire; crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF wire; and removing the stylet.

In still another broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for carrying out a transseptal puncture, the method comprising: advancing a J-wire into the superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the wire into the superior vena cava; removing the J-wire; inserting a needle assembly comprising a stylet and RF guidewire within the dilator at a two finger position; dropping down from the superior vena cava into a heart to find a fossa; tenting with the dilator, advancing needle assembly to puncture position; puncturing and advancing the needle assembly until a stop within the dilator, holding the position and unlocking the RF guidewire; advancing the RF guidewire to anchor, crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire; and removing the stylet.

In some embodiments of a method of puncturing tissue, the device comprises a flexible energy based puncture device, wherein substantially all of the steps are performed using the flexible energy based puncture device.

In some embodiments of a method of puncturing tissue, the device comprises a flexible RF guidewire and wherein substantially all of the steps are performed using the flexible RF guidewire.

In some embodiments of a method of puncturing tissue, the device comprises a flexible mechanical guidewire having a relatively sharp distal tip wherein substantially all of the steps are performed using the flexible mechanical guidewire.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of certain embodiments of the present invention only. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As an overview of embodiments of the present invention, some embodiments of the system provides a two part assembly comprising a flexible RF component and a rigid support member to enhance the utility of the system. The rigid member such as a reinforcing member is provided separate from and removable from the flexible RF component such as an RF wire and as such can be introduced independently from the flexible RF wire. This provides flexibility in the manner in which the combination of the two components, the RF wire and the reinforcing member can be used. The RF wire can be used independently from the reinforcing member when required—initial advancement of the flexible RF wire in the absence of the reinforcing member removes the need for a separate exchange wire to be used for initial access into the (superior vena cava) SVC. The reinforcing member can then be used selectively—the reinforcing member can be advanced into the SVC to provide adequate force transmission to facilitate the drop down procedure to locate the fossa. If the initial pass at locating the fossa is unsuccessful the two part assembly enables partial removal or withdrawal of the rigid support member to enable the RF wire to be repositioned. The rigid support member may then be re-advanced or re-positioned to provide the adequate stiffness and force transmission to repeat the drop down procedure to locate the fossa and to provide adequate support to facilitate puncture using the RF wire and to facilitate crossing with the RF wire. As such the rigid support member facilitates the transseptal puncture using the RF wire, and functions to additionally facilitate crossing into the left side after the puncture is completed. The reinforcing member may be removed thereafter leaving the flexible RF within the left side of the heart. Thus the flexible RF wire is usable independently from the reinforcing member to facilitate anchoring, facilitate tracking, to minimize left side exchanges to minimize risk of embolisms, and to minimize the risk of trauma. Thus, the reinforcing member can be introduced selectively for a portion of the procedure that requires stiffness and can be removed thereafter (either partially or completely) in order to facilitate the remainder of the procedure. Furthermore, since the reinforcing component is provided separately from the flexible RF wire, the reinforcing component may be re-advanced or reinserted, as desired to complete aspects of the procedure.

In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, details of the RF wire are disclosed in application number PCT/IB2013/060287 and publication number WO2015019132, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The details provided herein below include several embodiments of a supporting member usable with a puncture device such as the RF guidewire disclosed in the referenced application.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an assembly is provided for puncturing tissue, where the assembly comprises a substantially flexible puncturing device (that is substantially atraumatic such as an energy based puncturing device) for puncturing tissue via delivery of energy. The assembly additionally comprises a supporting member for supporting the substantially flexible puncturing device such as a rigid needle shaft. In some such examples, the supporting member comprises a reinforcing member (which may form the needle shaft). The supporting member is operable to be selectively usable with the substantially flexible puncturing device and is detachable or removable therefrom. Additionally, the substantially flexible puncturing device is operable independently from the supporting member to puncture tissue. In some such examples, the substantially flexible puncturing device is an energy based device for delivering energy to puncture tissue.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device is selectively usable in co-operation with the substantially rigid supporting member during a portion of the procedure. Additionally the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device is usable independently from the supporting member during another portion of the procedure.

In some such examples, the supporting member is removable from the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device during a portion of the procedure, to enable the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device to be used separately therefrom.

The assembly enables the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device to be usable independently from the supporting member during a portion of the procedure and to be usable in co-operation with during a portion of the procedure. This facilitates exchange by allowing the flexible energy based puncture device to be used for puncturing tissue and as an exchange wire, facilitating exchange and additionally provides the advantage of providing an atraumatic tip for puncturing tissue, as the substantially flexible energy based puncturing is substantially atraumatic. The decoupling of the energy delivery portion of the assembly from the supporting member, additionally enables the supporting member to be removed if the flexible energy based puncturing device is not positioned at the desired target location, enabling the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device to be repositioned to enable the supporting member to be re-advanced over the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device to facilitate positioning of the energy delivery portion of the flexible puncturing device against the desired target tissue location and may additionally reducing procedure complexity and enhance procedural efficiency.

Example 1 Assembly Comprising Puncture Device and Supporting Member

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the present invention provides an assembly 100 for puncturing tissue such as for creating a transseptal puncture through a septum of a heart, where the assembly provides a tissue puncture or puncturing device 110, and a separate supporting member 130 that is selectively usable with the tissue puncture device 110 for supporting the puncture device 110. The puncture device 110 is capable of being selectively usable in co-operation with the supporting member 130 during one or more portions or steps of the procedure and the puncture device 110 is usable independently therefrom during another one or more portions or steps of the procedure, in order to puncture tissue. In some such embodiments, providing a separate puncture device 110 and a supporting member 130) for selective therewith additionally enhances procedural efficiency by facilitating exchange and positioning.

With respect again to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in some embodiments, an assembly 100 for puncturing tissue is provided, the assembly 100 comprising a substantially flexible puncture device 112 as discussed further herein below, for puncturing tissue and a supporting member 130 for supporting the substantially flexible puncturing device. The substantially flexible puncture device 112, similar to the embodiment discussed herein above, is capable of being selectively insertable within the supporting member 130 to be selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of the procedure and wherein the substantially flexible puncture device 112 is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to puncture tissue and to facilitate exchange and positioning. In some such examples, the substantially flexible puncture device 112 comprises an energy delivery device that is operable to deliver energy in order to puncture tissue. In some such examples, as described further in detail herein below, the supporting member 130 comprises a reinforcing member 34.

In one such example, the assembly 100 comprises a needle assembly for puncturing tissue, where the needle assembly comprises the puncture device 110 and the supporting member 130. In some such embodiments of a needle assembly, the puncture device comprises a substantially flexible puncture device 112, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

In a specific example of the needle assembly, as shown shown in FIG. 1A, the puncture device 110 comprises a substantially atraumatic distal tip 112 d, wherein the puncture device 110 is substantially atraumatic. With reference again to FIG. 1A, in some embodiments, the puncture device 110 comprises an energy based puncture device 114 such as a substantially flexible energy based puncture device 114 that has an energy delivery portion or component 114 d at the distal tip thereof for delivering energy in order to puncture tissue. In a specific instance of this example, the puncture device 110 comprises a flexible (radiofrequency) RF guidewire 10 that has a distal electrode tip 10 d for delivering radiofrequency energy in order to puncture tissue.

In some instances, the RF guidewire 10 is a flexible wire which is generally electrically insulated save for selected distal regions such as the distal electrode tip 10 d.

In a specific example of the needle assembly, as shown shown in FIG. 1A, the puncture device comprises a mechanical puncture device 118. In some such embodiments, of the needle assembly the mechanical puncture device 118 comprises a relatively sharp distal tip 118 d for puncturing tissue.

In some such embodiments of the assembly 100 such as a needle assembly, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the supporting member comprises a reinforcing member. In some such embodiments, as shown, the supporting member 130 comprises a needle shaft 132 comprising the reinforcing member 34 for supporting the puncture device 110. In some such embodiments, the needle shaft 132 may provide or has properties of a mechanical needle. In a specific example, the reinforcing member [such as a metal hypo-tube] with one or more polymer layers is structured to form a needle shaft 132.

In some embodiments as described herein below, the assembly 100 such as a needle assembly comprises an RF wire and a separate reinforced member. As such, some embodiments of the present invention provided herein below are described with respect to an RF guidewire, but some such embodiment described herein may also be with other puncture devices such as a mechanical puncture device such as a mechanical guidewire. However, an RF guidewire may provide advantages not found in other puncture devices such as a mechanical guidewire

Device Example 1 Supporting Member Comprising a Needle Shaft/Reinforced Dilator

In one broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly 100 for puncturing tissue, the assembly 100 comprises a substantially flexible energy based (or energy delivery) puncture device 114 for puncturing tissue via delivery of energy and a supporting member 130 for supporting the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device 114. The substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device 114 is capable of being selectively insertable within the supporting member 130 to be selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of the procedure and wherein the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device 114 is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to facilitate exchange and positioning while providing substantially atraumatic puncture of tissue. In an example the supporting member 130 comprises a reinforcing member 34.

In one such example, with reference now to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the assembly 100 comprises a substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device or component 114 that is provided separately from and is operable independently from a supporting member 130. In one such example, the flexible energy delivery puncture device or component 114 (also referred to as a flexible energy based delivery device or a flexible energy delivery puncturing device) comprises a radiofrequency (RF) guidewire 10, and the separate supporting member 130 comprises needle shaft 132 comprising a reinforcing member 34 and one or more polymer layers 38 forming a polymer shaft 39 of the dilator 30A, where the reinforcing member 34 is substantially surrounded by the one or more poly mer layers.

Modified Electrode Tip

In the example shown, the RF guidewire 10 comprises an electrode for delivering radiofrequency energy. In one specific example, as shown, the RF guidewire 10 has a distal electrode tip 10 d for delivering radiofrequency energy in order to puncture tissue. In some such embodiments, the distal electrode tip 10 d is substantially atraumatic to reduce the pressure exerted on the tissue. In one such example, the distal electrode tip of the RF guidewire 10 comprises a substantially dome-shaped electrode tip that is substantially atraumatic to reduce the pressure exerted on the tissue.

In some such examples, with reference to FIG. 1A, the RF guidewire 10 may comprise a cylinder as shown by reference number 10 c with a hemispherical electrode tip 10 d which in some examples may form a cap that is formed distal to and adjacent to the cylinder 10 c. In other words, the electrode tip 10 d may be defined by a dome on top of the cylinder 10 c, such as a substantially full round dome. In some such examples, the outer diameter of the dome may substantially match the outer diameter of the cylinder 10 c. This may help provide a substantially atraumatic distal interface with the tissue to minimize risk of trauma and/or injury at the desired target tissue site. In some such embodiments, the dome shaped distal electrode tip 10 d of the RF guidewire 10 may reduce the amount of pressure that is exerted by the distal tip on the tissue to make the tip more atraumatic, so a force exerted by the distal tip is spread over a larger area. In some such examples, the RF guidewire 10 is provided as a 0.035″ wire.

More specifically, with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1C, the assembly additionally comprises a sheath 10 and a supporting member comprising a reinforced dilator such as dilator 30A that are usable with the flexible RF wire, where the dilator 30A comprises the reinforcing member 34 and one or more polymer layers 38 defining a polymer shaft 39 of dilator 30A, where the reinforcing member 34 is substantially surrounded by the one or more polymer layers 38.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, an assembly 100 is provided for puncturing tissue, where the supporting member 130 comprises a needle shaft 132 where the needle shaft 132 comprises the reinforcing member 34 and one or more polymer layers 38, where the reinforcing member 34 is substantially surrounded by the one or more polymer layers 38. In some such embodiments, the needle shaft 132 is provided within the dilator 30A. As such, in some embodiments, the supporting member comprises a needle shaft 132 that is provided as a part of or defined by the dilator 30A, wherein the needle shaft 132 is embedded in or surrounded by one or more polymer layers 38 of the dilator 130.

Details of the reinforcing member 34 are shown in FIG. 1C. More specifically, FIG. 1C illustrates a supporting member 130 that comprises a reinforced dilator 30A having the needle shaft 132, where the supporting member 130 is provided separately from the substantially flexible tissue puncturing device or member 112, such as an energy based tissue puncturing device 114 such as an RF guidewire 10. In one example, the needle shaft 132 is provided as a part of or in other words is defined by the dilator 30A. In some such examples, needle shaft 132 (and thus the dilator 30A defining the supporting member 130) is provided as a non-puncturing component for supporting the tissue puncturing device or member. In some such examples, the dilator 30A comprising the needle shaft 132 comprises a proximal portion 31 that terminates at a distal tip 41. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient rigidity that is substantially similar to that of a rigid needle.

In some such examples, a dilator shaft 32 extends along the proximal portion 31 and comprises the reinforcing member 34. In the particular example shown, the reinforcing member 34 is substantially surrounded by the one or more polymer layers 38. In some such examples the reinforcing member 34 is embedded within the one or more polymer layers 38 which comprise an inner polymer layer and an outer polymer layer. In some such examples, the inner and outer polymer layers comprise inner and outer tubular members 35, 37 of the dilator shaft 32. In some such examples, substantially surrounded may be taken to mean that the reinforcing member 34 is substantially surrounded on its outside or its exterior by the one or more polymer layers 38 that form a polymer shaft 39 (forming the dilator shaft 32) around the reinforcing member 34. In some embodiments, the dilator 30A may additionally include a radiopaque marker 42 at the distal tip 41. In one example, the reinforcing member 34 comprises a hypo-tube such as a metal hypotube. In one such example, the reinforcing member 34 comprises a stainless steel hypotube and the inner and outer tubular members 35, 37 comprise HDPE.

Hypo-Tube Defines an Inner Lumen of the Supporting Member

In one such example, the reinforcing member 34, such as the stainless steel hypo-tube, extends longitudinally within the one or more polymer layers, for example, within the inner and outer tubular members 35, 37, as shown in FIG. 1C. As such, the reinforcing member 34 [for example a hypotube] defines an inner lumen of the supporting member 130.

Hypo-Tube Located Between One or More Polymer Layers

In one example, the supporting member 130, with reference again to FIG. 1C, the one or more polymer layers 38 comprise an inner polymer layer and an outer polymer layer, which in some examples may comprise inner and outer tubular members 35, 37. In a specific instance, the reinforcing member 34 is substantially surrounded by the one or more polymer layers 38 along its exterior, as noted above. In other examples, the reinforcing member 34 is substantially surrounded by the one or more polymer layers 38 such that the reinforcing member 34 is located between the inner polymer layer and an inner polymer layer, for example, as defined by the inner and outer tubular members 35, 37 shown in FIG. 1D (in some examples, the hypo-tube is located between or sandwiched between two layers of polymer. In other words, the reinforcing member 34 is substantially surrounded by and embedded within both the inner and outer polymer layers. In other words the reinforcing member 34 is sandwiched or located between the inner and outer polymer layers 38 and thus the polymer shaft 39 that forms the dilator shaft 32. In some such examples, the inner and outer tubular members 35, 37 comprise high density polyethylene (HDPE).

In some embodiments of the transseptal assembly 100, the sheath 10 comprises a standard transseptal sheath, the needle shaft 132 (provided as a part of or defined by the dilator 30A) comprising a reinforcing member 34 as described herein above and the RF guidewire or RF wire is provided as a 0.035″ wire. In some such examples, the RF wire comprises a J-tip wire or in alternate examples the RF wire comprises a pigtail wire.

Hypo-Tube Secured within an Inner Lumen of the Dilator

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the reinforcing member 34 comprises a distal end 34D and a proximal end 34P, where the reinforcing member 34 extends within an inner lumen of the dilator 30A, as shown in FIG. 1C. In some such embodiments, the assembly 100 provides a substantially gapless interface at the junction between the reinforcing member at the distal and proximal ends and the one or more polymer layers. In some such examples, the reinforcing member 34 is secured within the one or more polymer layers 38 forming the polymer shaft 39 of the dilator 30A. In one such example, with reference now to FIGS. 7A-7C, the reinforcing member 34 is substantially affixed at its distal and proximal ends (in other words the reinforcing member distal and the reinforcing member proximal end) to the one or more polymer layers 38 of the dilator 30A to provide a substantially gapless interface at the junction between the reinforcing member 34 at the distal and proximal ends and the one or more polymer layers 38 reinforcing member. The drawings show the interface at the distal end of the reinforcing member 34. A similar interface is provided at a proximal end of the reinforcing member 34. In some such embodiments of the present invention, the reinforcing member 34 is substantially scaled at its distal and proximal ends (in other words at the reinforcing member distal end and the reinforcing member proximal end) to the one or more polymer layers 38 of the dilator 30A. In some such embodiments, by substantially eliminate the gap between the reinforcing member 34 and the polymer shaft 39 of the dilator 30A, this may prevent blood or other liquid from getting between the reinforcing member 34 and the polymer shaft 39.

Force Transmission and/or Torque Transmission

Supporting Member Providing Force Transmission/Torque

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the supporting member 130 provides sufficient stiffness to the puncturing device such as the RF wire to enable sufficient force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100.

In some such embodiments, the supporting member 130 provides sufficient stiffness to the puncturing device to enable torque to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.

Reinforcing Member Providing Force Transmission/Torque

In some such examples, the reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient stiffness to the supporting member 130 to enable sufficient force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100. More specifically, the reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly 100 such that the substantially flexible puncturing device 112 (such as a substantially flexible energy based puncture device 114 such as an RF wire 10) together with the supporting member 130 is capable of sufficient force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100 (and thus allows force to be transmitted to a distal end of the substantially flexible puncturing device 112).

As such, the reinforcing member 34 is capable of imparting force transmission capabilities to the substantially flexible RF wire 10, which when used together with the supporting member 130 is capable of force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100, for example for engaging tissue at a target tissue site. As such the reinforcing member 34 functions as a force transmitting portion of the assembly 100.

In some such examples, the assembly 100, further comprises a sheath 20, as shown in FIG. 1A, where the sheath 20 is usable with the supporting member 130, to provide stiffness to the assembly 100 to facilitate force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient stiffness to enable torque to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100. As such, the reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly, wherein the substantially flexible puncturing device 112 such as a substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 together with supporting member 130 provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly 100 to enable torque to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100 (and thus allows torque to be transmitted to a distal end of the substantially flexible puncturing device 112).

Some such embodiments of the present invention facilitate transseptal puncture, where the reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly 100 to enable sufficient force transmission for engaging a desired tissue site (such as the septum of the heart). In some such example, the supporting member 130 provides the substantially flexible puncture device 112 with force transmission capabilities where the substantially flexible puncture device 112 is capable of force transmission when in use with the supporting member 130.

In some such embodiments, the assembly 100 further comprises a sheath 20, as shown in FIG. 1A, where the sheath 20 is usable with the supporting member 130, to provide stiffness to the assembly 100 to enable torque to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100.

In some such examples, the sheath 20 may be coupled to the dilator 30A which enables force and/or torque transmission using one or more of the components [i.e., the sheath 20 or the dilator 30A.]. In other words, the user may not have to manipulate the sheath 20 and the dilator 30A (the user may just manipulate the sheath 20 or the dilator 30A) and the RF guidewire 10 follows the guidance and/or direction of the sheath 20 and/or the dilator 30A. In some such examples, the sheath 20 has some contribution to the overall torque. In some such embodiments, torqueing the sheath 20 and/or the dilator 30A enables the reinforcing member 34 to be torqued therewith.

Stiffness of the Reinforcing Member

In some embodiments of the present invention, the force transmitting portion of the assembly 100 has a force transmitting portion flexural rigidity of at least about 0.0085 Nm², for example about 0.0115 Nm². In some embodiments of the present invention, the force transmitting portion of the assembly is the supporting member 130 that has a stiffness or rigidity with a flexural rigidity value of at least about 0.0115 Nm² to enable sufficient force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100. In some such examples, the supporting member has a flexural rigidity of about 0.0085 Nm² to about 0.0145 Nm². In one such example, the supporting member 130 is the reinforced dilator 30A that has a flexural rigidity of at least about 0.0085 Nm², for example about 0.0115 Nm². In a specific example, the reinforced dilator 30A has a flexural rigidity about 0.0085 Nm² to about 0.0145 Nm². In one such example, the reinforced dilator 30A is the reinforced dilator 30A as provided in Example 1, for example as provided with respect to FIGS. 2A-2G.

In some such examples, the supporting member 130 functions to impart rigidity or stiffness to the assembly 100 including the puncture device such as a substantially flexible puncture device, to provide force transmission capabilities to the assembly including the puncture device such as a substantially flexible puncture device.

In some examples, the flexural rigidity values provided for the supporting member 130 are also usable for Examples 2 and 3 provided herein with respect to FIGS. 4A-4G, and FIGS. 6A-6H.

Examples 2 and 3

In some embodiments of the present invention, the force transmitting portion of the assembly is the supporting member 130 that is the reinforcing member that comprises the stylet. The stylet has a stiffness or rigidity with a flexural rigidity value of at least about 0.008 Nm², for example about 0.015 Nm² to enable sufficient force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly 100. In some such examples, the supporting member has a flexural rigidity of about 0.008 Nm² to about 0.024 Nm².

Stiffness of the Puncture Device

In some embodiments of the present invention, a distal portion of the puncture device such as a substantially flexible puncture device has a distal portion or distal region flexural rigidity. In some such examples, a substantially flexible RF guidewire 10 is provided, where the substantially flexible RF guidewire 10 has a distal portion [including along the distal electrode tip 10 d] where the RF guidewire 10 has a distal portion stiffness defined by a flexural rigidity of at least about 3.57×10⁻⁶ Nm², for example about 4.76×10⁻⁶ Nm². In some embodiments of the present invention, RF guidewire 10 has a distal portion stiffness or rigidity with a flexural rigidity of between about 3.57×10⁻⁶ Nm² to about 5.95×10⁻⁶ Nm².

In some such examples, the distal region of the RF guidewire 10 is tapered down from a proximal region of the RF guidewire 10, over about 12 cm-15 cm. In other words, the distal portion of the RF guidewire 10 has a length of between about 12 cm to about 15 cm. In some such examples, the distal portion of the RF guidewire 10 is the thinnest point of the RF guidewire 10.

In some such embodiments, the substantially flexible RF guidewire 10 has a proximal portion with a proximal portion flexural rigidity of less than about 0.00179 Nm², for example about 0.00143 Nm². In some embodiments of the present invention, RF guidewire 10 has a proximal portion stiffness or rigidity with a flexural rigidity of between about 0.00107 Nm² to about 0.00179 Nm².

In some embodiments of the present invention, where the substantially flexible puncture device comprises an RF guidewire 10 has a flexural rigidity of between about 2.0×10⁻⁶ to about 1.4×10⁻³ Nm². In some such examples, the RF guidewire 10 has a wire diameter that is between about 0.127 mm to about 0.635 mm.

Supporting Member/Reinforcing Member Shape-Ability

More specifically, the reinforcing member 34 is shapeable to enable the supporting member 130 (for example comprising a needle shaft 132 as provided as a part of or defined by a reinforced dilator 30A) to be removed from the substantially flexible energy delivery puncturing device 110 (such as the RF wire 10) to enable a curve of the supporting member 130 be re-shaped to be reinserted therewith, in order to optimize the position of the assembly 100 against a target tissue site, such as the fossa of the septum of the heart.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the supporting member 130 is shapeable to enable it to be removed from the puncture device (such as substantially flexible puncture device 114 such as an RF guidewire 10) to enable a curve of the supporting member 130 be re-shaped to be reinserted therewith, in order to optimize the position of the assembly 100 against a target tissue site. In some such examples, the reinforcing member 34 additionally provides shapeability, and enables the reinforcing member 34 and thus the supporting member 130 to be shapeable. In some such embodiments, where the reinforcing member 34 is shapeable enable the supporting member 130 (that includes the reinforcing member 34) to be removed from the substantially flexible puncture device (such as an RF guidewire) to enable a curve of the supporting member be re-shaped to be reinserted therewith, in order to optimize the position of the assembly 100 against a target tissue site, such as the septum of the heart.

In some such embodiments, the supporting member 130 comprises a reinforcing member 34 that is provided within the reinforced dilator 30A (such as within a needle shaft 132 of the reinforced dilator 30A), and as such imparts shape-ability to the dilator 30A. In other examples, the supporting member 130 comprises a stylet 60 that is provided separately from the dilator 30A (as described in embodiments described further herein below and imparts shapeability to the assembly 100. In other words the stylet 60 functions to impart a desired curvature and stiffness to the assembly 100 when in use with the assembly 100. The stylet 60 is removable from the assembly and can be re-shaped and re-inserted into the assembly 100 to provide a desired curvature to the assembly 100.

Coupling Between Dilator and Sheath Locking Feature for Example 1

In some embodiments of the present invention, with reference now to FIG. 1C, and assembly 100 is provided that comprises a sheath 20 as shown in FIG. 1A for use a sheath for use with the reinforced dilator 30 a for use therewith during a portion of the procedure. In some such examples, the assembly 100 comprises a locking mechanism to enable axial and rotational coupling of the dilator 30A with the sheath 20 for a portion of the procedure. In some embodiments of the present invention, the locking mechanism enables co-operative engagement between the sheath 20 and dilator 30A to provide rotational and axial coupling. This may help minimize the risk of rotational misalignment between the sheath 20 and dilator 30A and thus may reduce the risk of confusion resulting from the misalignment.

Referring now to FIG. 1E, the supporting member 130 comprising a needle shaft 132 (as provided as part of or defined by) dilator 30A comprises a dilator hub 51 that is operable to be coupled to the sheath hub 21 for a portion of the procedure. In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 1F, a locking mechanism is provided where the dilator hub 51 comprises one or more keys 52 for co-operatively engaging with corresponding features (such as key receiving features) on the sheath hub 21 that enable axial and rotational locking with the sheath 20. As such in some embodiments of the present invention a locking mechanism is provided to enable axial and rotational coupling of the dilator with the sheath for a portion of the procedure. In some examples, a steerable sheath is provided, where the steerable sheath 20 may be an 8 Fr steerable sheath. Alternatively, an 8.5 Fr steerable sheath 20 may be provided. In some such examples, the steerable sheath 20 may be provided with different curvatures. In a specific example, steerable sheaths 20 may be provided in different curvatures, specifically at angles of: 37, 45, 55, 90, or 135 degrees. In a specific instance of this example, the sheath tubing comprises an inner PTFE liner, a braid and a Pebax outer jacket. In some such embodiments, a supporting member 130 comprising a needle shaft 132 (for example, provided as a part of or defined by) an 8 Fr dilator 30A is provided that is compatible with an 8 Fr Sheath. Alternatively, supporting member 130 comprising the needle shaft 132 may be provided as a part of, or defined by an 8.5 Fr dilator 30A may be provided that is compatible with an 8 Fr steerable sheath 20. The supporting member 130 comprising the needle shaft 132 (for example as provided as a part of or defined by dilator 30A) may be provided with a 50 degree or 86 degree curvature. In some examples, materials may include HDPE and a metal hypotube that forms the reinforcing member 34. In some such examples, the RF wire comprises a 0.035″ OD wire and may be a J-tip wire or a pigtail wire. In a specific instance of this example, the wire may comprise a stainless steel core with a PTFE coating.

Radiopaque Markers

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the supporting member 130 comprises one or more radiopaque markers such as a supporting member radiopaque marker 42. In some such examples as above, the assembly 100 provides a supporting member 130 (for example comprising a needle shaft 132 as provided as a part of or defined by a reinforced dilator 30A), comprises a radiopaque marker 42, such as at the distal tip of the supporting member 130. In some such examples, the supporting member 130 comprises a radiopaque marker 42 embedded within the polymer of the distal tip thereof, as shown.

In a specific example, as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C, the radiopaque marker 42 comprises a radiopaque coil 142 embedded within the polymer of the supporting member 130 (for example comprising a needle shaft 132 as provided as a part of or defined by a reinforced dilator 30A) such as within the one or more polymer layers 38 (forming the polymer shaft 39 which in turn forms the dilator shaft 32), for example, at a distal tip thereof (of the supporting member 130). In a more specific example, the radiopaque coil 142 is embedded within the one or more polymer layers such that the one or more polymer layers extend distally beyond the radiopaque coil 42.

Alignment Using Radiopaque Markers

In some embodiments of the present invention, a substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 is provided (such as an RF guidewire) that comprises one or more device side radiopaque markers (or in other words one or more device radiopaque markers) at a distal end of thereof, for example, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. In some such embodiments, as noted above, the supporting member 130 also comprises a supporting member radiopaque marker at the distal end of the supporting member 130 (as shown in FIGS. 1C and 1D). In some such embodiments, similar to the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are configured to co-operate with the supporting member radiopaque marker 42 to indicate the relative position of the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as an RF guidewire 10). The embodiments, shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C illustrate a dilator 30B that is provided separately from a stylet 64. However, in alternative embodiments as described currently the stylet 64 may be a reinforcing member 34 that is provided within a dilator 30A.

In some such embodiments, the assembly 100 comprises an initial configuration 100A, where the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as an RF guidewire 10) is positionable within the supporting member 130 such that the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are not in alignment with the supporting member 130 radiopaque marker 42, as shown in FIG. 3A. In some such examples, multiple radiopaque markers may be visible under imaging, including the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 and the supporting member radiopaque marker 42.

In some such embodiments, the assembly 100 comprises a first configuration 100B, as shown in FIG. 3B where the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as an RF guidewire 10) is positionable within the supporting member 130 such that the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are in alignment with the supporting member 130 radiopaque marker 42, as shown in FIG. 3B. In some such examples, a single radiopaque marker may be visible under imaging [including the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 and the supporting member radiopaque marker 42 that may be arranged in close proximity to one another].

The assembly 100 additionally has a second configuration 100B, where the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as an RF guidewire 10) is positionable/advanceable within the supporting member 130 such that the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are substantially not in alignment or misaligned with the supporting member radiopaque marker 42. In some such examples, the misalignment of the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 with the supporting member radiopaque marker 42 indicates positioning of an energy delivery portion 114 d of the flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as an RF electrode tip 10 d of an RF guidewire 10) beyond the supporting member (for example distal to the distal tip or end of the supporting member 130) for positioning against a target tissue site for puncture of tissue. In some such examples, similar to FIG. 3A, multiple radiopaque markers may be visible under imaging [including the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 and the supporting member radiopaque marker 42, where the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are positioned distally to the supporting member radiopaque marker 42, indicating that the distal electrode tip lid is positioned against a target tissue site (such as the septum of the heart) for puncturing the tissue.

In some such examples, the sheath 20, and dilator 30A as well as the reinforcing member 34 are all radiopaque, and have radiopaque properties to enable them to visible under imaging. In some such examples, one or more of the sheath 20, dilator 30A, and reinforcing member 34, such as a metal hypo-tube comprise radiopaque materials in addition to radiopaque markers [42]. The reinforcing member 34 such as a metal shaft or hypotube is also radiopaque. In some such embodiments, polymers forming the sheath 20 and/or the dilator 30A may comprise polymer radiopaque filler such as barium sulfate 20% so there is contrast with the one or more markers [12, 42] at the distal tip. In other words this may provide visibility under imaging and may additionally provide contrast with the one or more markers [42, 12] which may allow the user to see the dilator 30A in comparison to the RF guidewire 10 under imaging, to see whether the RF guidewire 10 is positioned in or outside the dilator 30A [i.e., whether the distal segment of the RF guidewire 10 is distal to the dilator 30A.

Blunt Dilator Tip [Example 1]

In some embodiments of the present invention, the supporting member 130 comprises a substantially blunt distal tip or edge 143, as shown in FIG. 1A, in order to provide a substantially atraumatic distal tip 143, while providing the advantages of a substantially rigid or stiff supporting member 130 (such as by providing the reinforcing member 34) therein. In some such embodiments, as noted above, a reinforced dilator 30A is provided, with reference again to FIG. 1A. The dilator 30A in some instances comprises a substantially blunt distal tip or edge 144 in order to provide a substantially atraumatic distal tip 144. In some such embodiments, the reinforced dilator 30A comprises a substantially thick distal wall along the distal tip 144 where the distal tip 144 is defined by a substantially rounded distal tip edge. In some such embodiments, the dilator 30A provides advantages of a dilator by providing a substantially atraumatic distal tip and additionally a tapered profile at the distal tip to provide ease of trackability and crossing while providing advantages associated with providing a substantially rigid body by providing a substantially rigid component (such as a reinforcing member 34 therein) in addition to enabling use of an RF guidewire 10 for one or more of positioning, tracking devices, puncturing and anchoring.

In one such embodiment, an overall method/workflow is provided that illustrates a method of carrying out a transseptal puncture procedure using an assembly 100, as described herein above. The method disclosed herein provides one or more advantages associated with an assembly comprising an energy delivery component that is provided separately from the rigid component. Details of the method are provided herein below.

Method Method [Example 1] Using the Same Device for Initial Track Up/Access and Positioning

In some embodiments of the present invention, with reference now to FIGS. 2A-2G, a method is disclosed for puncturing tissue. The method comprises the step of: [1] accessing a region of tissue within a patient's body by advancing a device (such as a puncture device 110 such as an RF guidewire 10) into the region of tissue, as shown in FIG. 2B. In some such examples the method of puncturing a region of tissue comprises a method of carrying out a transseptal puncture where the step of accessing the region of tissue comprises advancing the device (such as the puncture device 110) into the superior vena cava (SVC) 501 adjacent a heart 500 of the patient.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the method for puncturing tissue additionally comprises the step of: [3] positioning a device at a target tissue site in the region of tissue, as shown in FIG. 2D, by for example: [2] first tracking a supporting member 130 (such as reinforced dilator 30A) over the puncture device 110 to support the device (such as puncture device 110) as shown in FIG. 2C, to [3] enable advancement of the device (such as a puncture device 110) towards a target tissue site in order to position the device at the target tissue site for puncturing, as shown in FIG. 2D.

In some such examples, the step of positioning the puncture device 110 at the target tissue site comprises performing [3] a drop down from the superior vena cava (SVC) into the heart 500 of the patient to locate a fossa ovalis (or in other words fossa) 504 along a septum 502 of the heart 500, by first for example (2) tracking or advancing a supporting member 130 (such as a dilator 30A) over the device (such as a puncture device 10) into the SVC to (3) facilitate the drop down to position the puncture device 110 at the fossa 504.

In some such examples, as shown in FIGS. 2B-2D, the steps of accessing [1], as shown in FIG. 2B and positioning [3], as shown in FIG. 2D, are performed using the same device such as a puncture device 110, wherein the puncture device 110 is usable without the supporting member 130 during the step of accessing [1] and wherein the device is usable with the supporting member 130 during the step of positioning [3].

Using a Puncture Device for Initial Access and Positioning

In some such embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 2B-2D, the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using a puncture device 110.

Using the Same Device for Initial Access, Positioning and Puncturing

In some such embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2E, the method additionally comprises: [4] a step of puncturing through the target tissue site using a device (such as the puncture device 110) after the step of positioning [3] as shown in FIG. 2D. The supporting member 130 supports the device (such as puncture device 110) during puncturing [4] where the steps of accessing [1], positioning [3] and puncturing [4] are performed using the same device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the step [4] of puncturing through the target tissue site comprises the step [4] of puncturing through the fossa 504 to gain access to a left side of the heart 500. This enables one or more devices of the assembly 100, such as the supporting member 130 (such as dilator 30A) and sheath 20 of the assembly 100 to be tracked over the RF guidewire 10 into the left side of the heart.

Using a Puncture Device for Initial Access, Positioning and Puncturing

In some such examples, as shown in FIGS. 2B-2E, the steps of accessing, positioning, and puncturing are performed using a puncture device 110.

Using the Same Device for Initial Access, Positioning and Puncturing and Anchoring

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method additionally comprises a step of anchoring, as shown in FIG. 2E, where the step of anchoring is performed using a device (such as the puncture device 110) after the step of puncturing [4] through the target tissue site, to maintain access through the target tissue site to the other side of the target tissue site, to allow one or more additional device [such as sheath 20 and the supporting member 130 comprising the dilator 30A] to be tracked over the device (such as the puncture device 110) to the other side of the target tissue site, as shown in FIG. 2F, where the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the same device. The puncture device 110 such as the RF guidewire 10 may be left to maintain access to the left side of the heart, as shown in FIG. 2G. The supporting member 130 for example comprising the dilator 30A may be removed or retracted to allow anchoring using the RF guidewire 10. The RF guidewire 10 functions as a rail to guide one more devices to the left side of the heart. In some such examples, the RF guidewire 10 provides a substantially stiff rail to guide the one or more devices to left side of the heart while being substantially atraumatic to minimize damage to the tissue.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the step of anchoring to maintain access through the target tissue site comprises advancing the device (such as the puncture device 110) through the fossa to the left side of the heat to maintain access to the left side of the heart. The step additionally comprises a step of removing the supporting member 130 [such as dilator 30A] and leaving the puncture device 110 [such as RF guidewire 10] to maintain access to the region of tissue such as the left side of the heart.

As such, in some examples, the step of anchoring comprises removing the supporting member 130 comprising the dilator 30A to enable anchoring by allowing the RF guidewire 10 to remain positioned to maintain access to the eft side of the heart. The sheath 20 may additionally be removed as well.

Using a Puncture Device for Initial Access, Positioning and Puncturing

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using a puncture device.

Alternatives for the Device being Used for Initial Access, Positioning and/or Puncturing—Based on the Base Claim these Dependents Depend from

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible puncture device 112 where one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible puncture device 112. In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed using the flexible puncture device 112.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10) where one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10). In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed using substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10).

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible energy based puncture device 114 where one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring the steps are performed using the flexible energy based puncture device 114. In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible energy based puncture device 114.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible RF guidewire 10 and wherein one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible RF guidewire 10. In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible the flexible RF guidewire 10.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device comprises a flexible mechanical guidewire 118 having a relatively sharp distal tip 18 d wherein one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible mechanical guidewire 118. In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible mechanical guidewire 118.

Repeating Steps of Accessing and Positioning

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises repeating the steps of accessing [1], shown in FIG. 2B, and positioning [3] as shown in FIG. 2D, until the device (such as the puncture device 110) is positioned at the desired target tissue site prior to the step of puncturing [4], as shown in FIG. 2E.

Reshaping the Supporting Member

In some such examples, repeating the step of positioning [3] as shown in FIG. 2D, further comprises reshaping a curvature of the supporting member 130 after removing the supporting member 130, and re-tracking [2] the supporting member 130 over the device, as shown in FIG. 2C (such as the puncture device 110 that has been re-positioned [1] within the SVC as shown in FIG. 2B), prior to repeating the step of positioning as shown in FIG. 2D, which in the example shown comprises a drop-down procedure to find the fossa 504. In a specific example, the supporting member 130 comprises a reinforcing member 34, where the step of positioning is performed using the reinforcing member 34.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the method comprises reshaping the supporting member 130 (such as the reinforced dilator 30A). In some such examples, the method comprises pulling the dilator element or dilator 30A out and reshaping it. In other examples, comprises pulling both the dilator element 30A and the sheath 20 out and reshaping it.

Supporting Member Comprises Reinforced Dilator

In some such examples re-shaping is performed using the supporting member 130 comprising a reinforced dilator 30A where the reinforced dilator 30A comprises the reinforcing member 34, where the step of positioning is performed using the reinforced dilator 30A that can be re-shaped.

Supporting Member Comprises a Stylet

In some embodiments, alternatively, as discussed further herein below, with respect to FIGS. 4A-4E, the step of re-shaping can be performed using the supporting member 130 comprising a stylet 60 wherein the stylet 60 is the reinforcing member 34, and the step of positioning is performed using the stylet 60.

In some such examples, the stylet element 60 can be taken out and reshaped. In other examples, the stylet element 60 along with the sheath 20 and/or dilator 30B may be pulled out and re-shaped to see what the net shape might be and then can be re-inserted therein.

The methods outlined herein above may also be used for embodiments discussed further herein below having a removable stylet 60, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4E and FIGS. 6A-6H.

Mapping System to Visualize Initial Access Tracking and Positioning

In some such embodiments with respect to FIGS. 2A-2G, and also additionally with reference to embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A-4E and FIGS. 6A-6H, the step of positioning is performed using a flexible RF guidewire 10. In some such examples, the steps of positioning, and puncturing are performed using a flexible RF guidewire 10. Still additionally, in some such examples, the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using a flexible RF guidewire 10. In some such examples, a mapping system as provided below may be used to visualize the steps of positioning and anchoring. In some such examples, as provided in FIGS. 2A-2G and FIGS. 4A-4E, the step of accessing may additionally be performed using the RF guidewire 10. As such, in some such examples, a mapping system as provided below may be used to visualize the flexible RF guidewire 10 using a mapping system during the steps of accessing positioning and anchoring. In some such examples, the method further comprises the step of visualizing the flexible RF guidewire 10 using a mapping system during the steps of accessing and positioning.

As such embodiments of the present invention provide a mapping system that is usable to visualize an RF guidewire 10 during a method of puncturing tissue during one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning and anchoring.

In some instances, the mapping device comprises an electro-anatomical mapping system where the electro-anatomical mapping system may be magnetic or impedance based to create virtual volumes. In some examples, the electro-anatomical mapping system is usable with other echocardiographic imaging modalities, which may be ultrasound. The echocardiographic imaging modalities may be used as an overlay in maps, in other words they may be used provide additional information to the mapping system. The echocardiographic imaging modalities may comprise intracardiac cardiography or TEE echorcardiographic

In some examples, the method involves switching between a mapping mode that is used for each of the steps of accessing, positioning, and anchoring and the puncture mode that is used for the step of puncturing.

In some such examples, the method of mapping the RF guidewire 10 to visualize using an imaging modality, may be usable with a flexible wire with an electrode which may or may not deliver energy which may be used for recording purposive. In some cases it may be a passive electrode for recording purposes. Alternatively as discussed above, if an RF guidewire 10 is used, then the mapping system is usable with an active electrode such as the distal electrode tip 10 d of the RF guidewire 10. As such the recording and mapping properties of a mapping system, are usable with a guidewire having a passive electrode or an active electrode. In a specific example, where a wire is provided with a passive electrode for mapping, the wire may comprise a puncturing means or a means to puncture tissue. In one instance the wire may comprise a mechanical guidewire 118 that may have a sharp distal tip 118 d for puncturing tissue.

In some such embodiments the reinforcing member is the stylet 60 that is usable independently from the substantially flexible energy based puncture device 114 such as an RF wire 10.

As a general overview, in one broad embodiment, with respect again to FIG. 2A-2G, a method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture, the method comprising: (i) Advancing the RF wire into the superior vena cava, as shown in FIG. 2B, (ii) advancing the sheath and dilator over the wire into the superior vena cava, as shown in FIG. 2C; (iii) withdrawing the RF wire into the dilator, as shown in FIG. 2D; (iv) drop down from the SVC into the heart to find the fossa, as additionally shown in FIG. 2D; (v) tenting with the dilator, (vi) advancing RF wire to puncture position, also with reference to FIG. 2D; (vii) puncturing and advancing RF wire, as shown in FIG. 2E; and (viii) crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF wire, as shown in FIG. 2F.

More specifically, in a specific embodiment of a method of the present invention, with reference again to FIG. 2A, a method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture procedure using an assembly 100 comprising a flexible RF wire 10, a sheath 20, and a dilator 30A, the method comprises the following steps: at step 202, [1] advancing the RF wire into the superior vena cava (SVC) to gain access, as additionally illustrated in FIG. 2B. In some such embodiments, providing the energy delivery component (flexible RF wire) separately from the reinforcing member allows the energy delivery component to be used as an access wire. More specifically, the dilator 30A can be advanced later, allowing the flexible RF wire to provide access to the SVC without the use of an additional access wire. This may help reduce the number of steps and streamline the procedure, and as such may reduce procedural time and complexity.

The method additionally comprises the following steps: at step 204, [2] advancing the sheath 20 and dilator 30A combination over the flexible RF wire into the SVC. Thus, the flexible RF wire 10 functions as an access wire and enables the sheath 20 and dilator 30A (for example as an assembly) to be tracked over the flexible RF wire 10 into the SVC as shown in FIG. 2C.

The method additionally provides: at step 206, withdrawing the RF wire into the dilator 30A and step 208, [3] performing a drop down from the SVC into the heart to locate the fossa, as shown in FIG. 2D for carrying out the step of positioning the assembly 100. In one such example, having the reinforced member 34 (within the dilator 30A) as separate from and operable independently form the flexible RF wire provides the additional advantage of allowing the drop down to be repeated if the fossa is missed in the first pass. More specifically, it eliminates the need to re-wire, in other words to re-insert an access wire, remove the access wire and then re-advance a rigid puncture device such as a needle into the SVC in order to repeat the drop down. More specifically, in an embodiment of the instant application, the dilator 30A (and thus the reinforcing member 34) may be partially removed or retracted along with the sheath 20 and the flexible RF wire 10 may be re-advanced into the SVC. The sheath 20 and the dilator 30 may then be re-advanced over the flexible RF wire 10, as shown in FIG. 2C and the drop down may be repeated to allow the RF wire 10 to engage the fossa. This may help reduce procedural time and increase safety as an additional exchange is not required. Adding an additional exchange may add more time and add unnecessary risk. Thus, procedural time and risk may be reduced with the current embodiments where the energy delivery component and the rigid component are decoupled.

The reinforcing member 34 [within the dilator 30A] provides the additional advantage of providing sufficient stiffness to the assembly 100 to facilitate the drop down, at step 208. As such the reinforcing member 34 enables sufficient force transmission and torque to allow the assembly 100 to engage the septum, as illustrated in FIG. 2D. The method further comprises: at step 212 tenting with the dilator 30A, with reference to FIG. 2D. The reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly 100 to enable force to be imparted to the distal end of the assembly 100, thus enabling tenting with the dilator 30A. In some examples, having the reinforcing member 34 within the dilator 30A, allows it to be removed and re-shaped to allow for optimizing the position against the fossa. In some such embodiments, prior to the step of tenting, at step 210, the physician may assess whether the angle of the dilator 30A and/or the assembly 100 is sufficient. If the angle is not deemed to be sufficient, at step 211, the physician may pull out the dilator 30A and reshape the curve. The dilator may be then be reinserted as indicated by step 213. The procedure then may be repeated starting at step 210, and a drop down may be performed again using the assembly 100. Once the fossa has been located, the physician may proceed with the step of tenting with the dilator, at step 212.

The method additionally comprises the steps of: at step 214, advancing RF wire 10 to puncture position and at step 216 [4] puncturing and advancing RF wire 10, as shown in FIG. 2E. The advancement of the RF wire 10 into the left side of the heart 500, enables anchoring of the RF wire 10 on the left side of the heart to maintain access to the left side of the heart. The flexible RF wire 10 may provide the additional advantage of allowing the operator to push hard without injury as the flexible RF wire is more flexible. The method additionally comprises: at step 218, [5] crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF wire 10, as additionally shown in FIG. 2F. The flexible RF wire 10 may additionally protect the open end of the sheath 20/dilator 30A so it does not push hard into the tissue. At step 218, the sheath 20 and dilator 30A [including the reinforcing component 34] may then be removed.

As outlined herein, energy delivery component is provided as a flexible RF wire 10 that is separate from a stiff component such as a reinforcing member 34 [provided within the dilator 30A], where the reinforcing member 34 [with the dilator 30A] is separable from and removable from the flexible RF wire 10. This provides the additional advantage, in that the reinforcing member 34 [within dilator 30A] may be removable after transseptal puncture and access, providing a step [6] of allowing the flexible RF wire 10 to remain positioned within the left atrium which allows for immediate anchoring of the flexible RF wire within the left atrium, as shown in FIG. 2G. In one such example, the RF wire may be positioned within the left superior pulmonary vein for anchoring. This may enable the RF wire to maintain access into the left atrium, allowing removal of the reinforcing member 34 [along with dilator 30A to facilitate exchange of devices into the left atrium using the flexible RF wire. This may additionally reduce an additional exchange of the left side as it may eliminate the need for the physician to advance another wire after puncture to maintain access on the left side for tracking additional devices into the left side. An additional benefit of minimizing exchanges on the left side, in addition to reducing procedural time and the number of steps required, is minimizing risk of infection, embolisms and stroke. In another example, the RF wire 10 may have a pigtail curve at the distal end. This may enable anchoring of the RF wire 10 in the left atrium instead of the pulmonary vein. Alternatively, the RF wire 10 may be used to anchor in the pulmonary vein. In some such examples, the former method of anchoring in the left atrium may provide additional advantages not found in the latter method.

Example 1 [Reinforced Dilator]

In some embodiments of the present invention, in summary, a method is disclosed for puncturing tissue, the method comprising the steps of: advancing a flexible puncture device 112 into a region of tissue; advancing a sheath 20 and supporting member 130 over the flexible puncture device 112 into the region of tissue; withdrawing the flexible puncture device into the supporting member 130; positioning the assembly 100 at a target tissue site in the region of tissue; tenting with the supporting member 130; advancing the flexible puncture device 112 to puncture position; puncturing and advancing flexible puncture device 112; and crossing the sheath 20 and dilator 30A over the flexible puncture device.

In some such examples, as above, the method of puncturing tissue comprises a method for carrying out a transseptal puncture, wherein the region of tissue comprises the superior vena cava. In some examples, the flexible puncture device comprises an RF guidewire 10 and the supporting member comprises a reinforced dilator 30A.

Some such embodiments of the present invention comprise a method for carrying out a transseptal puncture, comprising the steps of: advancing the RF guidewire into the superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire into the superior vena cava; withdrawing the RF guidewire into the dilator, dropping down from the superior vena cava into the heart to find the fossa; tenting with the dilator, advancing the RF guidewire to puncture position; puncturing using the RF guidewire and advancing the RF guidewire; and crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF wire.

Example 2

In another example, embodiments of the present invention provides an assembly 300, as shown in FIG. 3A, for puncturing tissue (such as creating a transseptal puncture through a septum of a heart). Similar to embodiments described herein above, the assembly 300 provides a puncture device such as a substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device 114 for puncturing tissue via delivery of energy (such as flexible RF guidewire 10 and a a supporting member for supporting the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device, such as a separate reinforcing member 34. In some such examples, the supporting member comprises a reinforcing member 34. In some such embodiments, the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device 114 (such as RF guidewire 10) is capable of being selectively insertable within the supporting member 130 to be selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of the procedure and wherein the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device 114 (such as RF guidewire 10) is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to facilitate exchange and positioning while providing substantially atraumatic puncture of tissue.

Device

In one such example, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the assembly 300 comprises a flexible energy delivery component 114 that is provided separately from and is operable independently from a supporting member. In one such example, the flexible energy delivery component comprises an RF wire 10, and the separate supporting member 130 comprises a stylet 60 that defines a reinforcing member 34. In other words, as provided herein below the supporting member 130 is the reinforcing member 34 that is provided as a stylet 60 that is usable independently from a puncture device 110 such as a flexible puncture device 112. In still others words, the supporting member 130 is defined by the reinforcing member 34, where in one example, the reinforcing member 34 comprises the stylet 60. The assembly 300 additionally comprises a sheath 20 and a dilator 30B that are usable with the flexible RF wire 10. In the particular example shown the reinforcing member 64 is also provided separately from and removable from the dilator 30B which in the present embodiment is provided as a flexible dilator.

Some such embodiments comprises a dilator 30B that is usable with the supporting member 130) to form a supporting member assembly 134 for selective use there-with during a portion of the procedure, as shown in FIG. 3B. In some such embodiments, as noted above, the supporting member 130 comprises a stylet 60 defining the reinforcing member 34. In some examples, a dilator 30B is provided that is usable with the stylet 60) for selective use there-with to form a stylet assembly 164, as shown in FIG. 3C.

In some such embodiments, the puncture device 110 comprises a substantially flexible energy based puncture device 114. In a specific instance of this example, the substantially flexible energy based puncture device 114 comprises a flexible RF guidewire or wire 10. In some embodiments, the RF guidewire 10 is capable of being selectively usable in co-operation with the stylet 60 (for example by being selectively being coupled thereto) during a portion of the procedure, and the RF guidewire 10 is usable independently from the stylet 60 during another portion of the procedure. Where selective use of the RF guidewire 10 in conjunction with the stylet, as well as without the stylet 60, facilitates puncture of tissue.

Supporting Member/Reinforcing Member Shape-Ability

In some such embodiments of the present invention where the supporting member 130 is provided separately from a dilator 30B, the assembly 300 provides a supporting member 130 that is shapeable to enable it to be removed from the puncture device 110 (such as a flexible tissue puncture device 112, for e.g. a substantially flexible energy based tissue puncture device 114) to enable a curve of the supporting member 130 be re-shaped to be reinserted therewith. For example, the re-shaped supporting member 130 is re-insertable with and/or usable with the substantially flexible energy based tissue puncture device 114 and/or one or more other components of the assembly 300 such as dilator 30B and/or sheath 20), in order to optimize the position of the assembly 300 against a target tissue site to facilitate puncture (such as a fossa of the heart to facilitate a transseptal puncture).

In a specific example, the stylet 60 is shapeable to enable the stylet 60 to be removed from the substantially flexible puncture device to enable a curve of the stylet 60 be re-shaped to be reinserted therewith, in order to optimize the position of the assembly against a target tissue site. In some such examples, the stylet 60 is removable from the one or more components or member of the assembly 300 to be re-shaped to be re-inserted therewith to position the assembly 300 at the target tissue site. Details of the stylet 60 defining the reinforcing member 34 in use with a dilator 30B and flexible RF wire 10 are shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. More specifically, FIGS. 3B and 3C, illustrate a dilator 30B which in some examples is a flexible dilator such as a standard transseptal dilator without having a reinforcing member embedded therein or in other words separately from the dilator 30B, the dilator 30B comprising a proximal portion 31 that terminates at a distal tip 41. In some embodiments, the dilator 30B may additionally include a radiopaque marker 42 at the distal tip 41. Similar to embodiments disclosed herein above, the dilator 30B comprises a dilator shaft 32 that extends along the proximal portion 31. However, unlike embodiments discussed herein above, assembly 300 provides a reinforcing member or component 34 defined by stylet 60 that is provided separately from the dilator 30B, and functions as a removable reinforcing member that is removable from the dilator 30B. As such, the reinforcing member 34 is provided separately from and is removable from both the flexible RF wire 10 and the dilator 30B. FIG. 3B shows the assembly 300 in position for a drop down, whereas FIG. 3C shows the assembly 300 in position for arcing to enable the transseptal puncture.

Atraumatic Stylet

In some embodiments, the stylet 60 is provided as a substantially atraumatic stylet 68, as shown in FIG. 5F to prevent damage to the dilator 30A that it is inserted in. In some such examples, the stylet 68 comprises a tapered distal tip 69 to prevent and/or help minimize skiving and to provide a smoother feel for the user upon insertion into a dilator during use.

In some embodiments, as an alternative or in addition to providing a tapered distal tip 69, the stylet 60 is made substantially atraumatic by providing a lubricous coating 67 on the stylet 60 in order to prevent and/or help minimize skiving and to provide a smoother feel for the user upon insertion into a dilator during use.

In some such examples, the lubricous coating 67 comprises a PTFE coating. The PTFE coating may be spray coated onto the stylet 60 or it may be provided as a heat shield.

Alignment Using Radiopaque Markers

In some embodiments of the present invention, similar to embodiments discussed previously with respect to assembly 100, the assembly 300 comprises a substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as the RF guidewire 10) that comprises one or more device radiopaque markers 12 at a distal end of thereof. Additionally, the supporting member assembly comprises one or more supporting assembly radiopaque markers 42 at the distal end of a supporting member assembly 134 (for example comprising a separate reinforcing member 34 such as a stylet 60 and a puncture device 110 such as a substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114. In one such example, the supporting assembly radiopaque marker 42 is provided on the dilator 30B of the supporting member assembly 134. In some such examples, the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are configured to co-operate with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker 42 to indicate the relative position of the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114.

In some such embodiments, the assembly 300) comprises an initial configuration 100A, where the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as an RF guidewire 10) is positionable within the supporting member assembly 134 such that the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are not in alignment with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker 42, as shown in FIG. 3A. In some such examples, multiple radiopaque markers may be visible under imaging, including the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 and the supporting member radiopaque marker 42.

The assembly 300 additionally has a first configuration 100B, where the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 is positionable within the supporting member assembly 134 such that the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are in alignment with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker 42. In some such examples, a single radiopaque marker may be visible under imaging [including the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 and the supporting member radiopaque marker 42 that may be arranged in close proximity to one another].

The assembly 300 additionally has a second configuration 100B, where the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as RF guidewire 10) is positionable/advanceable within the supporting member assembly 134 such that the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are substantially not in alignment/misaligned with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker 42. In some such examples, the misalignment of the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker 42 indicates positioning of an energy delivery portion 114 (such as electrode distal tip 10 d or also referred to as distal electrode tip 10 d) of the flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as an RF guidewire 10) beyond the supporting member assembly 134 (for example distal to the distal tip or end of the supporting member 130) for positioning against a target tissue site for puncture of tissue.

With reference now to FIG. 3A, similar to embodiments shown in FIG. 3A and discussed previously, multiple radiopaque markers may be visible under imaging, including the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 and the supporting member radiopaque marker 42, where the one or more device radiopaque markers 12 are positioned distally to the supporting member radiopaque marker 42, indicating that the distal electrode tip 10 d is positioned against a target tissue site (such as the septum of the heart) for puncturing the tissue.

In some embodiments of the present invention, one or members or components of the assembly 300 may be radiopaque to facilitate visualization of the assembly 300. In one such example, the sheath 20 and/or the dilator 30B comprise a radiopaque polymer and the stylet 60 (for example comprising a metal shaft) is radiopaque. As such, in some examples, the stylet 60, sheath 20 and/or the dilator 30B are all radiopaque and thus have radiopaque properties. In a specific example, the polymers forming the sheath 20 and/or dilator 30B comprise radiopaque filler such as barium sulfate 20% to provide contrast with the one or more markers 12, 42 at the distal tip, in order to allow the user to see the sheath 20 and/or the dilator 30B in comparison to the RF guidewire 10. As such, the present configuration may enhance visibility and may allow the user to assertain when the RF guidewire 10 (more specifically the electrode distal tip 10 d of the RF guidewire 10) is positioned inside or whether it extends outside or beyond the distal tip of the dilator 30B.

In some embodiments of the transseptal assembly 300, the sheath 20 comprises a standard transseptal sheath, the dilator 30B comprises a standard flexible dilator and the flexible RF wire 10 is provided as an 0.035″ wire. In some such examples, the flexible RF wire 10 may be J-tip wire or a pigtail wire. In one particular example, the dilator 30 comprises HDPE. The dilator 30 defines an inner diameter that is sufficient to accommodate the stylet 60. In one example, the stylet 60 that defines the reinforcing member 34 comprises a hypo-tube such as a metal hypo-tube. In a specific example, the stylet 60 comprises a metal hypo-tube that comprises a stainless steel hypotube. In one such example, the stainless steel hypo-tube has an ID of greater than about 0.035″.

In some examples, the steerable sheath 20 may be an 8 French (Fr) steerable sheath. Alternatively, an 8.5 Fr steerable sheath 20 may be provided. In some such examples, the steerable sheath 20 may be provided with different curvatures. In a specific example, steerable sheaths 20 may be provided in different curvatures, specifically at angles of: 37, 45, 55, 90, or 135 degrees. In a specific instance of this example, the sheath tubing comprises an inner PTFE liner, a braid and a Pebax outer jacket. In some such embodiments, an 8 French (Fr) dilator 30B is provided that is compatible with an 8 French (Fr) Sheath. Alternatively, an 8.5 (Fr) dilator 30B may be provided that is compatible with an 8 French (Fr) steerable sheath 20. Some such dilators may be provided with a 64 degree curvature and an HDPE shaft. The stylet 60 may be provided as a metal hypotube. In one such instance, the stylet 60 may have an ID of greater than about 0.038″ and an OD that is less than about 0.060″. The dilator 30A may be provided with a 50 degree or 86 degree curvature. In some examples, materials may include HDPE and a metal hypotube that forms the reinforcing member 34. In some such examples, the RF wire 10 comprises a 0.035″ OD wire and may be a J-tip wire or a pigtail wire. In a specific instance of this example, the RF wire 10 may comprise a stainless steel core with a PTFE coating.

Method Method [Example 2—Removable Stylet] Using the Same Device for Initial Track Up/Access and Positioning

In some embodiments of the present invention, with reference now to FIGS. 4A-4G, a method is disclosed for puncturing tissue. The method comprises the step of: [1] accessing a region of tissue within a patient's body by advancing a device (such as a puncture device 110 such as an RF guidewire 10) into the region of tissue, as shown in FIG. 4B. In some such examples the method of puncturing a region of tissue comprises a method of carrying out a transseptal puncture where the step of accessing the region of tissue comprises advancing the device (such as the puncture device 110) into the superior vena cava (SVC) 501 adjacent a heart 500 of the patient, as shown in FIG. 4B

In some embodiments of the present invention, the method for puncturing tissue additionally comprises the step of: [4] positioning a device at a target tissue site in the region of tissue, as shown in FIG. 4D, by for example: [3] first tracking a supporting member 130 over the puncture device 110 to support the device (such as puncture device 110) as shown in FIG. 4C, to [4] enable advancement of the device (such as a puncture device 110) towards a target tissue site in order to position the device at the target tissue site for puncturing, as shown in FIG. 4D.

In some such examples, the step of positioning the puncture device 110 at the target tissue site comprises performing [4] a drop down from the superior vena cava (SVC) into the heart 500 of the patient to locate a fossa ovalis (or fossa) 504 along a septum 502 of the heart 500, by first for example (3) tracking or advancing a supporting member 130 (such as a stylet) over the device (such as a puncture device 110) into the SVC to (3) facilitate the drop down procedure, as shown in FIG. 4D, to position the puncture device 110 at the fossa. For example, this involves dropping down the assembly 300 from the superior vena cava into the heart to find the fossa.

In some examples, the step of positioning [4] is performed by first for example additionally comprises a step of advancing [2] a sheath 20 and dilator 30B over the device (such as RF guidewire 10) into the superior vena cava, prior to tracking and advancing a supporting member 130 which may comprise inserting a stylet 60 in the dilator 30B [for example until it reaches a stop], as shown in FIG. 4C. In some such examples, the step of positioning [4] is performed after a step of withdrawing the RF guidewire into the stylet 60.

In some such examples, as shown in FIGS. 4B-4D, the steps of accessing [1], as shown in FIG. 4B and positioning [4], as shown in FIG. 4D, are performed using the same device such as a puncture device 110, wherein the puncture device 110 is usable without the supporting member 130 [comprising the stylet 60] during the step of accessing [1] and wherein the device is usable with the supporting member 130 [comprising the stylet 60] during the step of positioning [4].

Using a Puncture Device for Initial Access and Positioning

In some such embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 4B-4D, the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using a puncture device 110 [such as an RF guidewire 10].

Using the Same Device for Initial Access, Positioning and Puncturing

In some such embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4E, the method additionally comprises: a step of puncturing[5] through the target tissue site using a device (such as the puncture device 110) after the step of positioning [4] as shown in FIG. 4D. The supporting member 130 [comprising the stylet 60] supports the device (such as puncture device 110) during puncturing [5] where the steps of accessing [1], positioning [4] and puncturing [5] are performed using the same device.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the step [5] of puncturing through the target tissue site comprises the step [5] of puncturing through the fossa 504 to gain access to a left side of the heart 500. This enables one or more devices of the assembly 100, such as the supporting member 130 (such as dilator 30A) and sheath 20 of the assembly 100 to be tracked over the RF guidewire 10 into the left side of the heart.

In some such embodiments, the a step of puncturing [5], is performed by first advancing the device (such as the RF guidewire 10) and tenting with the dilator 30B, as shown in FIG. 4D, to enable the RF guidewire 10 to be advanced to the puncture position, in order to the puncture the septum 502 at the fossa 504.

Using a Puncture Device for Initial Access, Positioning and Puncturing

In some such examples, as shown in FIGS. 2B-2E, the steps of accessing, positioning, and puncturing are performed using a puncture device 110.

Using the Same Device for Initial Access, Positioning and Puncturing and Anchoring

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method additionally comprises a step of anchoring [6], as shown in FIG. 4E, where the step of anchoring is performed using a device (such as the puncture device 110) after the step of puncturing [5] through the target tissue site, to maintain access through the target tissue site to the other side of the target tissue site, to allow one or more additional device [such as sheath 20 and the dilator 30B] to be advanced or tracked over the device (such as the puncture device 110, for example an RF guidewire 10) in order to allow crossing of the sheath 20 and dilator 30B to the other side of the target tissue site, for example into the left side of the heart, as shown in FIG. 4F, where the steps of accessing [1], positioning [4], puncturing and anchoring [5] are performed using the same device. The RF guidewire 10 may be left to maintain access to the left side of the heart as shown in FIG. 4G. The RF guidewire 10 functions as a rail to guide one more devices to the left side of the heart. In some such examples, the RF guidewire 10 provides a substantially stiff rail to guide the one or more devices to left side of the heart while being substantially atraumatic to minimize damage to the tissue.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the step of anchoring to maintain access through the target tissue site comprises advancing the device (such as the puncture device 110) through the fossa to the left side of the heat to maintain access to the left side of the heart.

In some such examples, the step of anchoring additionally comprises removing the stylet 60 to enable anchoring by allowing the RF guidewire 10 to remain positioned to maintain access to the eft side of the heart. The sheath 20 and/or the dilator 30B may additionally be removed as well.

In some such embodiments, the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed substantially using the wire such as the RF guidewire and the removable stylet 60.

Using a Puncture Device for Initial Access, Positioning and Puncturing

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using a puncture device (such as a wire comprising an RF guidewire 10) and a removable stylet 60

Alternatives for the Device being Used for Initial Access, Positioning and/or Puncturing—Based on the Base Claim these Dependents Depend from

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible puncture device 112 where one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible puncture device 112. In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed using the flexible puncture device 112.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10) where one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10). In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed using substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10).

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible energy based puncture device 114 where one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring the steps are performed using the flexible energy based puncture device 114. In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible energy based puncture device 114.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible RF guidewire 10 and wherein one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible RF guidewire 10. In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible the flexible RF guidewire 10.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device comprises a flexible mechanical guidewire 118 having a relatively sharp distal tip 118 d wherein one or more of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible mechanical guidewire 118. In some such examples, each of the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible mechanical guidewire 118.

Repeating Steps of Accessing and Positioning

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises repeating the steps of accessing [1], shown in FIG. 4B, and positioning [4] as shown in FIG. 4D, until the device (such as the puncture device 110) is positioned at the desired target tissue site prior to the step of puncturing [5], as shown in FIG. 4E.

Reshaping the Supporting Member

In some such examples, repeating the step of positioning [4] as shown in FIG. 4D, further comprises reshaping a curvature of the supporting member 130 after removing the supporting member 130 [stylet 60], and re-tracking [3] the supporting member 130 [stylet 60] over the device, as shown in FIG. 4C (such as the puncture device 110 that has been re-positioned [1] within the SVC as shown in FIG. 4B), prior to repeating the step of positioning as shown in FIG. 4D, which in the example shown comprises a drop-down procedure to find the fossa 504. In a specific example, the supporting member 130 comprises the stylet 60, where the step of positioning is performed using the stylet 60.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the method comprises reshaping the supporting member 130 (by pulling the stylet 60 out and re-shaping it).

Supporting Member Comprises a Stylet

In some embodiments, as discussed with respect to FIGS. 4A-4E, the step of re-shaping can be performed using the supporting member 130 comprising a stylet 60 wherein the stylet 60 is the reinforcing member 34, and the step of positioning is performed using the stylet 60.

In some such examples, the stylet element 60 can be taken out and reshaped. In other examples, the stylet element 60 along with the sheath 20 and/or dilator 30B may be pulled out and re-shaped to see what the net shape might be and then can be re-inserted therein.

The methods outlined herein above may also be used for embodiments discussed further herein below having a removable stylet 60, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6H.

Similar to embodiments described herein above, an overall method/workflow is provided that illustrates a method of carrying out a transseptal puncture procedure using an assembly 300, as described above. The method disclosed herein provides one or more advantages associated with an assembly comprising an energy delivery component that is provided separately from the rigid component. Details of the method are provided herein below.

As a general overview, in one broad embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A-4G, a method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture, the method comprising: (i) Advancing the RF wire into the superior vena cava, (ii) advancing the sheath and dilator over the wire into the superior vena cava; (iii) inserting the stylet in the dilator until it reaches a stop; (iv) withdrawing the RF wire into the stylet (v) dropping down from the SVC into the heart to find the fossa; (vi) tenting with the dilator, (vii) advancing RF wire to puncture position; (viii) puncturing and advancing RF wire; and (ix) crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF wire; and (x) remove stylet.

More specifically, with reference again to FIG. 4A, a method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture procedure using an assembly 100 comprising a flexible RF wire 10 or RF guidewire 10, a sheath 20, a standard transseptal dilator 30B, and a stylet 60, the method comprises the following steps: at step 402, [1] advancing the RF wire into the superior vena cava (SVC) to gain access, as additionally illustrated in FIG. 4B. As outlined previously, in some such embodiments, providing the energy delivery component (flexible RF wire 10) separately from the reinforcing member 34, allows the energy delivery component to be used as an access wire or starter wire. More specifically, the stylet 60 defining the reinforcing member 34 can be advanced later, allowing the flexible RF wire 10 to provide access to the SVC without the use of an additional access wire. This may help reduce the number of steps and streamline the procedure, and as such may reduce procedural time and complexity.

The method additionally comprises the following steps: [2] at step 404, advancing the sheath 20 and flexible dilator 30B combination over the flexible RF wire into the SVC. As such, in this embodiment also, the flexible RF wire 10 functions as an access wire and enables the sheath 20 and dilator 30B (for example as an assembly) to be tracked over the flexible RF wire 10 into the SVC as shown in FIG. 4C. Furthermore, in one such example a standard transseptal dilator 30B may be provided without an embedded reinforcing member. This may help allow the initial track up of the sheath 20 and dilator 30B to provide a similar feel to the physician as a standard transseptal.

The method additionally provides an additional step: at step 406, [3] inserting the stylet 60 until a stop within the dilator 30B is reached. At step 408, withdrawing the RF wire into the dilator 30B and step 410, providing a step of positioning the assembly 300 by [4] performing a drop down from the SVC into the heart to locate the fossa, as shown in FIG. 4D, in order to position the assembly 300 at the target tissue site such as the fossa 504 along the septum 502 of the heart 500. The reinforcing member 34 [defined by the stylet 60] provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly 100 to facilitate the drop down. As such the reinforcing member 34 enables sufficient force transmission and torque to allow the assembly 100 to engage the septum 502, as illustrated in FIG. 4D.

In one such example, having the reinforced member 34 (as defined by the stylet 60) as separate from and operable independently form the flexible RF wire 10 may additionally assist with repeatability if one or more steps in the procedure need to be repeated. If the initial placement of the flexible RF wire 10 against the septum 502 is not adequate after the drop down, the sheath 20 and dilator 30B along with the stylet 60 [and thus the reinforcing member 34] may be partially removed or partially withdrawn and the flexible RF wire 10 may be repositioned within the superior vena cava (SVC). The sheath 20, dilator 30B and the stylet 60 [and thus the reinforcing member 34] may be re-advanced over the RF wire 10 to provide adequate force transmission and torque to reposition the RF wire 10 against the septum in a drop down, as shown in FIG. 4D, to locate the fossa 504 prior to RF delivery, for example during the step of positioning the assembly 300 at the target tissue site such as the fossa 504. Thus, the reinforcing member 34 and RF wire 10 may help minimize device exchanges by reducing the need for reinserting an exchange wire. This may help reduce procedural time and enhance safety by eliminating an exchange. Thus, procedural time and risk may be reduced with the current embodiments where the energy delivery component and the rigid component are decoupled.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described herein, a removable reinforcing member is provided in that the stylet 60 and thus reinforcing member 34, is removable from and separable from the dilator 30B. By providing a removable stiffening element by way of a removable stylet 60 allows the stylet to impart different curvatures. A variable system is provided where the location of the stylet 60 within the dilator 30B may be adjusted to leverage a more preferential location for positioning against the dilator 30B against the fossa 504. Additionally the stylet 60 may be re-shapeable allowing and may be pulled out and manually reshaped. In some such embodiments, after the drop down has been performed at step 410, the physician may assess whether the angle of the stylet 60 and/or the assembly 300 is sufficient at step 412, prior to tenting. If the angle is not deemed to be sufficient, the physician may pull out the stylet 60 and reshape the curve, at step 422. The procedure then may be repeated starting at step 406 to step 412.

If the angle is deemed to be sufficient, at step 412, the method further comprises: at step 414 tenting with the dilator 30B, with reference to FIG. 4D. The reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly 100 to enable force to be imparted to the distal end of the assembly 100, thus enabling tenting with the dilator 30B. The method additionally comprises the steps of: at step 416, advancing RF wire 10 to puncture position and at step 416 [5] puncturing and advancing RF wire 10, as shown in FIG. 4E to enable the RF wire 10 to puncture through the septum 502, at the fossa 504, to access the left side of the heart, thereby providing a step of anchoring using the RF wire 10. In some such examples, the RF wire 10 thus positioned functions as an anchor to maintain access to the left side of the heart after puncturing. The flexible RF wire 10 may provide the additional advantage of allowing the operator to push hard without injury as the flexible RF wire 10 is more flexible. The method additionally comprises: at step 420, [6] crossing the sheath 10 and dilator 30B with the stylet 60 therein over the RF wire 10, as additionally shown in FIG. 4F. The flexible RF wire 10 may additionally protect the open end of the sheath 20/dilator 30B so it does not push hard into the tissue. At step 422, the sheath 20 and dilator 30 as well as the stylet 60 [and thus the reinforcing member 34 defined thereby] may then be removed.

As outlined herein, energy delivery component is provided as a flexible RF wire 10 that is separate from a stiff component such as a reinforcing member 34 [as provided by stylet 60], where the stylet 60 is separable from and removable from the flexible RF wire 10. This provides the additional advantage, in that the reinforcing member 34 [defined by stylet 60] may be removable after transseptal puncture and access, providing a step [7] allowing the flexible RF wire 10 to remain positioned within the left atrium which allows for immediate anchoring of the flexible RF wire 10 within the left atrium, for example as shown in FIG. 4G. In one such example, the RF wire 10 may be positioned within the left superior pulmonary vein for anchoring. This may enable the RF wire 10 to maintain access into the left atrium, allowing removal of the stylet 60 [and thus the reinforcing member 34] to facilitate exchange of devices into the left atrium using the flexible RF wire 10. This may additionally reduce an additional exchange of the left side as it may eliminate the need for the physician to advance another wire after puncture to maintain access on the left side for tracking additional devices into the left side. As outlined above, the present embodiment also provides an additional benefit of minimizing risk of infection, embolisms and stroke by minimizing exchanges on the left side, in addition to reducing procedural time and the number of steps required.

Example 2 General Overview Stylet and Separate RF Wire

As such, in summary, in embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture, the method comprising: advancing an RF guidewire into the superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire into the superior vena cava; inserting a stylet in the dilator until it reaches a stop; withdrawing the RF guidewire into the stylet; dropping down from the superior vena cava into the heart to find the fossa; tenting with the dilator, advancing RF wire to puncture position; puncturing and advancing RF wire; crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF wire; and removing the stylet.

Example 3

In another example, embodiments of the present invention provides an assembly 302 for creating a transseptal puncture through a septum of a heart. Similar to embodiments described herein above, the assembly 302 provides a flexible RF wire and a separate reinforcing member.

Device

In one such example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the assembly 302 is similar to assembly 300 described previously and comprises a flexible energy delivery component that is provided separately from and is operable independently from a supporting member. In some embodiments, assembly 302 is provided as an example of assembly 300. The assembly 302 comprises: an RF wire 10, a stylet 60 defining a reinforcing member 34, a sheath 10 and a standard transseptal dilator 30B, details of which are described herein above. In the particular example shown the reinforcing member 34 is also provided separately from and removable from the dilator 30B as well as the flexible RF wire 10.

In some embodiments of the present invention, with reference now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the assembly 302 further comprises a locking feature 75 to allow the flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as RF guidewire 10) to be coupled to the reinforcing member 34 (such as stylet 60) to form a needle assembly 136 to allow the flexible energy based puncturing device 114 (such as RF guidewire 10) to be selectively usable with the reinforcing member 34, to provide feel of a needle while enabling use of an RF guidewire.

In a specific example, the locking feature 75 of the assembly 302 enables the RF guidewire 10 to be coupled to the stylet 60 to allow the RF guidewire 10 to be selectively usable with the stylet 60, to provide the feel of a needle while enable use of an RF guidewire 10.

In some such examples, the locking feature 75 may enable the wire (such as the RF guidewire 10) and the stylet 60 to be axially locked such that the wire and stylet 60 may be moved back and forth together. In an additional embodiment, the locking feature 75 may additionally provide rotational locking.

The embodiment presented herein provides a means of locking the flexible RF wire 10 and the reinforcing member 34 which allows the combination to provide the feel of a rigid RF needle while enabling the use of an RF wire 10. The combination provides the advantages provided herein above of a decoupled energy delivery system where a flexible energy delivery component such as the RF wire 10 is provided separately from a supporting member 130 such as a reinforcing member 34. More specifically, in one example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the stylet 60 comprises a locking handle 71 that is operable to be coupled to the flexible RF wire 10 along its proximal portion for a part of the procedure. The locking handle 71 comprises locking arms 73 that may be spring biased to allow the locking arms to engage with and lock the RF wire 10 to the stylet 60 in position, thus defining the locking feature 75. In some examples, the stylet 60 and/or the RF wire 10 additionally comprises a marker band 62 to facilitate the relative positioning of the stylet 60/RF wire 10 prior to locking. As such, the stylet handle 71 locks onto the flexible RF wire 10 for alignment.

FIGS. 5C, 5D and 5E, illustrate details of the assembly 302 in use in accordance with various steps of the procedure. More specifically, FIG. 5C illustrates a flexible RF wire 10 positioned within the stylet 60, which in one example, is configured to be assembled and locked outside of the patient. In another example, the stylet 60 and the RF wire 10 may be locked once positioned inside the patient's body. FIG. 5D illustrates the coupled RF wire 10 and stylet 60 assembly, positioned within the dilator 30B for the drop down position which is referred to as a two finger position. FIG. 5E illustrates a stylet 20, RF wire 10 assembly positioned within the dilator 30B in the arcing position.

In some examples, as described above, the steerable sheath 20 may be an 8 Fr steerable sheath. Alternatively, an 8.5 Fr steerable sheath 20 may be provided. In some such examples, the steerable sheath 20 may be provided with different curvatures. In a specific example, steerable sheaths 20 may be provided in different curvatures, specifically at angles of: 37, 45, 55, 90, or 135 degrees. In a specific instance of this example, the sheath tubing comprises an inner PTFE liner, a braid and a Pebax outer jacket. In some such embodiments, an 8 Fr dilator 30B is provided that is compatible with an 8 Fr Sheath. Alternatively, an 8.5 Fr dilator 30B may be provided that is compatible with an 8 Fr steerable sheath 20. Some such dilators may be provided with a 64 degree curvature and an HDPE shaft. The stylet 60 may be provided as a metal hypotube. In one such instance, the stylet 60 may have an ID of greater than about 0.038″ and an OD that is less than about 0.060″. The dilator 30B may be provided with a 50 degree or 86 degree curvature. In some examples, materials may include HDPE and a metal hypotube that forms the reinforcing member 34. In some such examples, the RF wire 10 comprises a 0.035″ OD wire and may be a J-tip wire or a pigtail wire. In a specific instance of this example, the RF wire 10 wire may comprise a stainless steel core with a PTFE coating.

Method Example 3 [Lockable Stylet and RF Guidewire] Using the Same Device for Initial Track Up or Access and Positioning

In some embodiments of the present invention, with reference now to FIGS. 6A-6H, a method is disclosed for puncturing tissue. The method comprises the step of: [1] accessing a region of tissue within a patient's body by advancing a device (such as a J-wire 101) into the region of tissue, as shown in FIG. 6B. In some such examples the method of puncturing a region of tissue comprises a method of carrying out a transseptal puncture where the step of accessing the region of tissue comprises advancing the device (such as a J-wire 101) into the superior vena cava (SVC) 501 adjacent a heart 500 of the patient, as shown in FIG. 6B.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the method for puncturing tissue additionally comprises the step of: [5] positioning a device at a target tissue site in the region of tissue, as shown in FIG. 6D, by for example by first: [2] advancing a sheath 20 and dilator 30B over the wire (such as a J-wire 101) into the superior vena cava and [3] removing the J-wire; and [4] advancing or tracking a supporting member 130 [comprising a stylet 60] within the dilator. More specifically, the step of [4] advancing or tracking the supporting member comprises a step of [4] inserting a needle assembly within the dilator 30B (for example at a two finger position) within the dilator. The needle assembly comprising a stylet 60 and puncture device 110 such as an RF guidewire 10. In some such examples, the needle assembly comprises a locking feature to lock the RF guidewire 10 to the stylet 60.

The stylet 60 functions to support the device (such as puncture device 110) as shown in FIG. 6C, to [5] enable advancement of the device (such as a puncture device 110) towards a target tissue site in order to position the device at the target tissue site for puncturing, as shown in FIG. 6D.

In some such examples, the step of positioning the puncture device 110 at the target tissue site comprises performing [5] a drop down from the superior vena cava (SVC) into the heart 500 of the patient to locate a fossa ovalis (or fossa) 504 along a septum 502 of the heart 500. For example, this involves dropping down the assembly 300 from the superior vena cava into the heart to find the fossa.

In some examples, a step of withdrawing the RF guidewire into the stylet 60 may not be needed as when the RF guidewire 10 and the stylet 60 are inserted within the dilator 30B in their locked position, the RF guidewire 10 is seated within the dilator 30B.

Using Different or Separate Devices for Accessing and Positioning [Example 3]

As such in some such embodiment, a J-wire is provided and used for the step accessing a region of tissue within a patient's body; and an RF wire 10 is provided and used (which for example is provided as a needle assembly that has an RF wire 10 coupled to a stylet 60) for the step of positioning a device at a target tissue site in the region of tissue by tracking a supporting member (for example as provided as a stylet 60) along with the device (provided as an RF wire 10)] to support the device (such as the RF wire 10) to advance the device (such as the RF wire 10) towards a target tissue site in order to position the device at the target tissue site for puncturing. As such in some examples, the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using different or separate devices (e.g. a J-wire and an RF wire 10, respectively, where the step of accessing is performed without the supporting member (such as stylet 60) and wherein the device (such as an RF wire 10) is usable with the supporting member (such as stylet 60) during the step of positioning.

Using the Same Device for Initial Positioning and Puncturing

In some such embodiments of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6E, the method additionally comprises: [5] a step of puncturing through the target tissue site using a device (such as the puncture device 110) after the step of positioning [5] as shown in FIG. 6D.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the step [5] of puncturing through the target tissue site comprises the step [5] of puncturing through the fossa 504 to gain access to a left side of the heart 500. In some such embodiments, the a step of puncturing [5], is performed by first tenting with the dilator 30B, advancing needle assembly to puncture position, and puncturing and advancing the needle assembly until a stop within the dilator 30B, as shown in FIG. 6E, to enable the RF guidewire 10 to be advanced to the puncture position, in order to the puncture the septum 502 at the fossa 504.

Using a Puncture Device for, Positioning and Puncturing

In some such examples, as shown in FIGS. 6B-6H, the steps of positioning, and puncturing are performed using a puncture device 110.

Using the Same Device for Positioning and Puncturing and Anchoring

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the method additionally comprises a step of anchoring [6], as shown in FIG. 6F, where the step of anchoring is performed using a device (such as the puncture device 110) after the step of puncturing [5] through the target tissue site, to maintain access through the target tissue site to the other side of the target tissue site, to allow one or more additional device [such as sheath 20 and the dilator 30B] to be advanced or tracked over the device (such as the puncture device 110, for example an RF guidewire 10) in order to allow crossing of the sheath 20 and dilator 30B to the other side of the target tissue site, for example into the left side of the heart, as shown in FIG. 6G, where the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the same device.

In some such examples, the step of anchoring as shown in FIG. 6F, is performed by first holding the position of the assembly including the needle assembly and unlocking the RF guidewire from the stylet 60 and advancing the RF guidewire to anchor. The method additionally comprises crossing the sheath 20 and dilator 30B over the RF guidewire 10, and removing the stylet 60 as shown in FIG. 6G.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the step of anchoring to maintain access through the target tissue site comprises advancing the device (such as the puncture device 110) through the fossa to the left side of the heat to maintain access to the left side of the heart.

In some such examples, the step of anchoring additionally comprises removing the stylet 60 to enable anchoring by allowing the RF guidewire 10 to remain positioned to maintain access to the eft side of the heart. The sheath 20 and/or the dilator 30B may additionally be removed as well. In some such embodiments, the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed substantially using the wire such as the RF guidewire and the removable stylet 60. The puncture device 110 can be left to maintain access to the left side of the heart as shown in FIG. 6H. The RF guidewire 10 functions as a rail to guide one more devices to the left side of the heart. In some such examples, the RF guidewire 10 provides a substantially stiff rail to guide the one or more devices to left side of the heart while being substantially atraumatic to minimize damage to the tissue.

Using a Puncture Device for Positioning, Puncturing and Anchoring

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using a puncture device (such as a wire comprising an RF guidewire 10) and a removable stylet 60 of the needle assembly.

Alternatives for the Device being Used for Positioning and/or Puncturing, and Anchoring

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible puncture device 112 where one or more of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible puncture device 112. In some such examples, each of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed using the flexible puncture device 112.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10) where one or more of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10). In some such examples, each of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed using substantially flexible guidewire (such as a mechanical guidewire 118 or an RF guidewire 10).

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible energy based puncture device 114 where on or more of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring the steps are performed using the flexible energy based puncture device 114. In some such examples, each of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible energy based puncture device 114.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the device comprises a flexible RF guidewire 10 and wherein one or more of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible RF guidewire 10. In some such examples, each of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible the flexible RF guidewire 10.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, wherein the device comprises a flexible mechanical guidewire 118 having a relatively sharp distal tip 118 d wherein one or more of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the flexible mechanical guidewire 118. In some such examples, each of the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are substantially performed substantially using flexible mechanical guidewire 118.

Repeating Steps of Accessing and Positioning

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the method further comprises repeating the steps of accessing [1], shown in FIG. 6B, and positioning [5] as shown in FIG. 8D, until the device (such as the puncture device 110) is positioned at the desired target tissue site prior to the step of puncturing [5], as shown in FIG. 6E.

Reshaping the Supporting Member

In some such examples, repeating the step of positioning [4] as shown in FIG. 6D, further comprises reshaping a curvature of the stylet 60, and re-tracking [4] the stylet 60 as part of the needle assembly [stylet 60 coupled to puncture device] over the device, as shown in FIG. 6C (such as the puncture device 110 that has been re-positioned [1] within the SVC as shown in FIG. 6B), prior to repeating the step of positioning as shown in FIG. 4D, which in the example shown comprises a drop-down procedure to find the fossa 504. In a specific example, the supporting member 130 comprises the stylet 60, where the step of positioning is performed using the stylet 60.

In some such embodiments of the present invention, the method comprises reshaping the supporting member 130 (by pulling the stylet 60 out and re-shaping it) and for example, by unlocking it from the needle assembly.

Supporting Member Comprises a Stylet

In some embodiments, as discussed with respect to FIGS. 6A-6E, the step of re-shaping can be performed the stylet 60 is the reinforcing member 34, and the step of positioning is performed using the stylet 60.

In some such examples, the stylet element 60 can be taken out and reshaped. In other examples, the stylet element 60 along with the sheath 20 and/or dilator 30B may be pulled out and re-shaped to see what the net shape might be and then can be re-inserted therein.

Similar to embodiments described herein above, FIG. 6A illustrates an overall method/workflow for a method of carrying out a transseptal puncture procedure using the assembly 302, as described above. The method disclosed herein provides one or more advantages associated with an assembly comprising an energy delivery component that is provided separately from the rigid component. Details of the method are provided herein below.

General Overview

As a general overview, in one broad embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A-6H, a method is provided for carrying out a trarnsseptal puncture, the method comprising: (i) Advancing a J-wire into the superior vena cava, (ii) advancing the sheath and dilator over the wire into the superior vena cava; (iii) removing the J-wire; (iv) inserting the stylet/wire assembly within the dilator for the two finger position; (v) dropping down from the SVC into the heart to find the fossa; (vi) tenting with the dilator, (vii) advancing stylet/RF wire assembly to puncture position; (viii) puncturing and advancing the stylet/RF wire assembly until the stop within the dilator, (ix) hold position and unlock RF wire; (x) advance wire to anchor, (xi) crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF wire; and (xii) remove stylet.

More specifically, with reference again to FIG. 6A, a method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture procedure using an assembly 302 comprising a flexible RF wire 10, a sheath 20, a standard transseptal dilator 30B, and a stylet 60, the method comprises the following steps: at step 602, assembling stylet and RF wire 10 outside the patient and locking them together, At step 604, [1] advancing the J-wire into the superior vena cava (SVC) to gain access, as additionally illustrated in FIG. 6B. The method additionally comprises the following steps: at step 606, [2] advancing the sheath 20 and flexible dilator 30B combination over the J-wire into the SVC, as shown in FIG. 6C; and at step 607, [3] removing the J-wire. Since a standard transseptal dilator 30B is provided without an embedded reinforcing member, initial track up of the sheath 20 and dilator 30B may provide a similar feel to the physician as a standard transseptal procedure. The method additionally provides an additional step: at step 608, [4] inserting the stylet 60/RF wire 10 assembly 302 to a two finger position, as additionally shown in FIG. 6C. The method additionally comprises: at step 610, [5] performing a drop down from the SVC into the heart 500 to locate the fossa, as shown in FIG. 6D. The stylet 60 defines the reinforcing member 34 and provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly 302 to facilitate the drop down.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure dilator 30B is provided as a standard transseptal dilator 30B. In other embodiments the dilator 30B may be softer or more flexible (or in other words less rigid) than a standard transseptal dilator 30B.

More specifically, the reinforcing member 34 enables sufficient force transmission and torque to allow the assembly 100 to engage the septum, as illustrated in FIG. 6D.

In one such example, similar to the embodiments discussed previously, having the reinforced member 34 (as defined by the stylet 60) as separate from and operable independently form the flexible RF wire 10 may additionally assist with repeatability of aspects of the procedure, if one or more steps in the procedure need to be repeated. If the initial placement of the flexible RF wire 10 against the septum is not adequate after the drop down, the sheath 20 and dilator 30B along with the stylet 60 [after decoupling from the RF wire] may be removed partially or partially retracted and the flexible RF wire 10 may be repositioned within the superior vena cava (SVC) and the drop down procedure may be repeated after re-advancement of the sheath 20/dilator 30B and the stylet 60 may be re-advanced over the RF wire 10 as outlined above.

Furthermore, in the embodiment described herein, a removable reinforcing member is provided in that the stylet 60, and thus reinforcing member 34, is removable from and separable from the dilator 30B. By providing a removable stiffening element by way of a removable stylet 60 may allow the stylet to impart different curvatures. A variable system is provided where the location of the stylet 60 within the dilator 30B may be adjusted to leverage a more preferential location for positioning against the dilator 30B against the fossa. As mentioned previously, the stylet 60 may be re-shapeable allowing and may be pulled out and manually reshaped. In some such embodiments, after the drop down has been performed at step 610, the physician may assess whether the angle of the stylet 60 and/or the assembly 300 is sufficient at step 612, prior to tenting. If the angle is not deemed to be sufficient, the physician may pull out the stylet 60 and reshape the curve, at step 613. The procedure then may be repeated starting at step 608 to step 612.

If the angle is deemed to be sufficient, at step 612, the method further comprises: at step 614 tenting with the dilator 30B. The reinforcing member 34 provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly 100 to enable force to be imparted to the distal end of the assembly 100, thus enabling tenting with the dilator 30B. The method additionally comprises the steps of: at step 616, advancing RF wire 10/stylet 60 assembly to puncture position and at step 618, [6] puncturing and advancing RF wire 10/stylet 60 assembly until the stop within the dilator 30B, as shown in FIG. 6E. The flexible RF wire 10 may provide the additional advantage of allowing the operator to push hard without injury as the flexible RF wire 10 is more flexible.

The method additionally comprises: at step 620, holding the position and unlocking the RF wire 10 from the RF wire 10/stylet 60 assembly, and advancing RF wire 10 to anchor as shown in FIG. 6F. Similar to Example 2, as outlined herein above, with respect to FIGS. 4A-4G, in Example 3, as outlined with respect to FIGS. 6A-6H, a removable reinforcement, the stylet 60 is provided that may facilitate streamlining the procedure. The energy delivery component is provided as a flexible RF wire 10, where the stylet 60 is separable from and removable from the flexible RF wire 10. This provides the additional advantage, in that the RF wire 10 may be advanced independently from the stiffening component, to the left side. The step of [7] positioning of the RF wire 10 and advancement on the left side may provide similar advantages as outlined above for example 2, including anchoring, enhanced safety, minimizing exchanges on the left side, and to facilitate trackability of additional devices. The method additionally comprises the steps of: [8] crossing with the sheath 20/dilator 30B [and stylet 60] on the left side 624 and removing or retracting the stylet at step 626. In some examples, the stylet 60 may cross over to the left side together with the sheath 20 and dilator 30B. Alternatively, the stylet 60 may stay on the right side of the heart while facilitating the sheath 20/dilator 30B to cross through to the left side of the heart. This may provide additional advantages (such as providing atraumaticity during crossing and while maintaining access to the left side) not found in a method where the stylet 60 may cross over to the left side.

As such, in some embodiments, the removable reinforcement may be used in conjunction with but separately from a sheath 20/dilator 30B assembly forming a reinforced support member that is usable in conjunction with the RF wire 10 to facilitate force transmission and torque to ensure engagement with the septum and to facilitate location of the fossa during the drop down procedure. The removable reinforcement [such as stylet 60] may be unlocked from the RF wire 10 removed from the sheath/dilator assembly thereafter leaving the RF wire 10 and in some examples, the sheath and/or dilator to remain positioned within left atrium to facilitate additional device exchanges.

Needle Assembly with Stiffening Member and Flexible Puncture Device

Stiffening Member

As noted above, some embodiment of present invention provide a needle assembly for puncturing tissue, the needle assembly comprises a puncture device 110 flexible puncture device 112 (such as an RF guidewire 10 or a mechanical guidewire 118) for puncturing tissue and a stiffening member (such as a supporting member 130 such as dilator 30A or a reinforcing member 34 such as a stylet 60) for supporting the puncture device, with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3B-3C. The puncture device is capable of being selectively usable in co-operation with the stiffening member during a portion of the procedure and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to puncture tissue and to enhance procedural efficiency by facilitating exchange and positioning.

In some such embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1B, the needle assembly comprises a flexible puncture device 112 that comprises a mechanical puncture device 118. In some such embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1A the substantially flexible puncture device 112 comprises an energy based puncture device 114. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1A, the needle assembly provides a substantially flexible puncture device 112 that comprises a substantially atraumatic tip (such as RF guidewire 10). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1B, the substantially flexible puncture device comprises a relatively sharp (distal) tip 118 d. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 3A-3B, the stiffening member comprises a reinforcing member 34.

In one broad aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a transseptal system to facilitate a transseptal puncture procedure utilizing the inferior approach. The system involves converting a stiff energy based puncture device into: (i) a flexible energy delivery component for delivering RF energy such as an RF wire for puncturing using RF and (ii) a separate supporting member such as a reinforcing member for imparting structural and mechanical support to the assembly and to provide sufficient torque transfer to enable the RF wire to engage the septum and to facilitate advancement across the puncture site. As such, in some embodiments, the systems of the present provide an RF wire and a reinforcing member that are separate from and removable from one another to overcome the limitations associated with prior art needle based systems. In some such embodiments, the systems of the present invention provide a work flow that may reduce the number device exchanges, facilitate repeatability, provide adequate anchoring and enhance safety. Thus, in some embodiments, the system of the present invention provides a decoupled system that functionally decouples the energy delivery component and provides a flexible energy delivery component while providing structural support through a separate reinforcing member.

As an advantage, the reinforcing member is advanceable over the RF wire after positioning of the RF wire allowing the RF wire to function as an exchange wire to help eliminate the need for a separate exchange wire for gaining access into the heart. As such, the system enables a reduction in the number of device exchanges on the right side by using a flexible energy delivery component such an RF wire that provides exchange capabilities.

As an additional advantage, the reinforcing member may be advanced selectively when stiffness is required to complete aspects of the procedure for imparting structural and mechanical support to the assembly and to provide sufficient torque transfer to locate the fossa to enable the RF wire to engage the septum to create the puncture and to facilitate advancement/crossing to the left side after puncture. The reinforcing member is separate from the RF wire and additionally provides the advantage of allowing repositioning of the RF wire within the SVC to facilitate a repeat drop down procedure if necessary. More specifically, the reinforcing member can be removed partially or withdrawn partially while maintaining the RF wire within the right side of the heart. This eliminates exchange by eliminating the need for re-inserting an exchange wire, reducing procedural time and complexity. The RF wire can be repositioned within the SVC enabling the reinforcing member to be re-advanced over the RF wire to repeat the drop down procedure and to facilitate crossing after puncture.

As a further advantage, the system enables removal of the reinforcement member after puncture, enabling the energy delivery member, the RF wire to remain within the left atrium to facilitate anchoring within the left atrium, trackability and to provide safety while advancing into the left side.

Example 3 [Lockable Stylet and RF Guidewire]

As such some embodiments of the present invention provide a method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture, the method comprising: Advancing a J-wire into the superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the wire into the superior vena cava; removing the J-wire; inserting a needle assembly comprising a stylet and RF guidewire within the dilator at a two finger position; dropping down from the superior vena cava into the heart to find the fossa; tenting with the dilator, advancing needle assembly to puncture position; puncturing and advancing the needle assembly until a stop within the dilator, holding the position and unlocking the RF guidewire; advancing the RF guidewire to anchor, crossing the sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire; and removing the stylet.

As such, in some embodiments, the systems of the present invention provide a work flow that may reduce the number device exchanges, facilitate repeatability, provide adequate anchoring and enhance safety.

The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art to the present invention. 

We claim:
 1. A needle assembly for puncturing tissue and enhancing procedural efficiency by facilitating exchange and positioning, the needle assembly comprising: a puncture device for puncturing tissue; and a supporting member for supporting the puncture device: wherein the puncture device is capable of being insertable within the supporting member and being selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure.
 2. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the puncture device comprises a substantially flexible puncture device.
 3. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the puncture device comprises a substantially atraumatic distal tip, wherein the puncture device is substantially atraumatic.
 4. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the puncture device comprises an energy based puncture device.
 5. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the puncture device comprises a mechanical puncture device.
 6. The needle assembly of claim 2, wherein the puncture device comprises a substantially atraumatic distal tip, wherein the puncture device is substantially atraumatic.
 7. The needle assembly of claim 6, wherein the puncture device comprises an energy based puncture device.
 8. The needle assembly of claim 7, wherein the puncture device comprises a flexible RF guidewire.
 9. The needle assembly of claim 1, wherein the supporting member comprises a needle shaft comprising a reinforcing member for supporting the puncture device.
 10. The needle assembly of claim 2, wherein the supporting member comprises a reinforcing member.
 11. An assembly for puncturing tissue, the assembly comprising: a substantially flexible puncture device for puncturing tissue; and a supporting member for supporting the substantially flexible puncturing device: wherein the substantially flexible puncture device is capable of being selectively insertable within the supporting member to be selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the substantially flexible puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to puncture tissue and while facilitating exchange and positioning.
 12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the substantially flexible puncture device comprises an energy delivery device that is operable to deliver energy in order to puncture tissue.
 13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the supporting member comprises a reinforcing member.
 14. An assembly for puncturing tissue, the assembly comprising: a substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device for puncturing tissue via delivery of energy; and a supporting member for supporting the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device: wherein the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device is capable of being selectively insertable within the supporting member to be selectively usable in co-operation therewith during a portion of a procedure for puncturing tissue and wherein the substantially flexible energy delivery puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to facilitate exchange and positioning while providing substantially atraumatic puncture of tissue.
 15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the supporting member comprises a reinforcing member.
 16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the supporting member comprises a reinforced dilator, the dilator comprising: the reinforcing member, and one or more polymer layers substantially surrounding the reinforcing member.
 17. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the supporting member comprises a needle shaft, the needle shaft comprising: the reinforcing member, and one or more polymer layers substantially surrounding the reinforcing member.
 18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a hypo-tube.
 19. The assembly of claim 18, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a metal hypo-tube.
 20. The assembly of claim 19, wherein the reinforcing member extends longitudinally within the one or more polymer layers.
 21. The assembly of claim 20, wherein the reinforcing member defines an inner lumen of the supporting member.
 22. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the one or more polymer layers comprise an inner polymer layer and an outer polymer layer.
 23. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the reinforcing member is located between the inner polymer layer and the outer polymer layer.
 24. The assembly of claim 22, wherein the inner polymer layer and the outer polymer layer are defined by inner and outer tubular members.
 25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the inner and outer tubular members comprise high density polyethylene (HDPE).
 26. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the assembly provides a substantially gapless interface at a junction between the reinforcing member at a reinforcing member distal end and a reinforcing member proximal end and the one or more polymer layers.
 27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the reinforcing member is substantially affixed at the reinforcing member distal end and the reinforcing member proximal end to the one or more polymer layers of the dilator to provide the substantially gapless interface.
 28. The assembly of claim 27, wherein the reinforcing member is substantially scaled at the reinforcing member distal end and the reinforcing member proximal end to the one or more polymer layers of the dilator to provide the substantially gapless interface.
 29. The assembly of any one of claims 1, 11 and 14, wherein the supporting member provides sufficient stiffness to the puncturing device to enable sufficient force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.
 30. The assembly of any one of claims 1, 11 and 14, wherein the supporting member provides sufficient stiffness to the puncturing device when the puncturing device is inserted therein to enable torque to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.
 31. The assembly of any one of claims 10, 13, and 15, wherein the reinforcing member provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly, wherein the substantially flexible puncture device together with the supporting member is capable of force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.
 32. The assembly of any one of claims 10, 13 and 15, wherein the reinforcing member provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly, wherein the substantially flexible puncture device together with the supporting member provides sufficient stiffness to the assembly to enable torque to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.
 33. The assembly of claim 32, further comprising a sheath, wherein the sheath is usable with the supporting member, to provide stiffness to the assembly to enable torque to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.
 34. The assembly of any one of claims 1, 11 and 14, wherein the supporting member has a stiffness of at least about 0.0085 Nm² to enable sufficient force transmission to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.
 35. The assembly of any one of claims 1, 11 and 14, wherein the supporting member is shapeable to enable it to be removed from the puncture device to enable a curve of the supporting member to be re-shaped and to be reinserted therewith, in order to optimize the position of the assembly against a target tissue site.
 36. The assembly of any one of claims 10, 13 and 15, wherein the reinforcing member is shapeable enable the supporting member to be removed from the substantially flexible puncture device to enable a curve of the supporting member be re-shaped to be reinserted therewith, in order to optimize the position of the assembly against a target tissue site.
 37. The assembly of any one of claims 1, 11 and 14, wherein the supporting member comprises a supporting member radiopaque marker.
 38. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the supporting member radiopaque marker is positioned at a distal tip thereof.
 39. The assembly of claim 38, wherein the supporting member radiopaque marker is embedded within the one or more polymer layers at the distal tip thereof.
 40. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the supporting member radiopaque marker comprises a radiopaque coil embedded withinone or more polymer layers at a distal tip thereof.
 41. The assembly of claim 40, wherein the radiopaque coil is embedded within the one or more polymer layers such that the one or more polymer layers extend beyond the coil.
 42. The assembly of claim 37, wherein the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device comprises: a device radiopaque marker at a distal end of thereof, and Wherein the device radiopaque marker is configured to co-operate with the supporting member radiopaque marker to indicate a relative position of the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device.
 43. The assembly of claim 16, further comprising: a sheath for use with the reinforced dilator for use therewith during a portion of the procedure.
 44. The assembly of claim 43, wherein the assembly further comprises: a locking mechanism to enable axial and rotational coupling of the dilator with the sheath for a portion of the procedure.
 45. The assembly of claim 44, wherein the dilator comprises a dilator hub and sheath comprises a sheath hub, wherein the locking mechanism comprises one or more keys on the dilator hub for co-operatively engaging with the sheath hub.
 46. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the supporting member is the reinforcing member.
 47. The assembly of claim 46, wherein the reinforcing member comprises a stylet.
 48. The assembly of claim 46, wherein the stylet comprises a hypo-tube.
 49. The assembly of claim 48, wherein the stylet comprises a metal hypo-tube.
 50. The assembly of claim 49, wherein the stylet comprises a stainless steel hypo-tube.
 51. The assembly of claim 47, wherein the stylet is substantially atraumatic.
 52. The assembly of claim 51, wherein the stylet comprises a tapered distal tip.
 53. The assembly of claim 51, wherein the stylet comprises a tapered distal tip to substantially prevent skiving and to provide a smoother feel upon insertion into a dilator during use.
 54. The assembly of claim 51, wherein the stylet comprises a lubricous coating to prevent skiving and to provide a smoother feel upon insertion into a dilator during use.
 55. The assembly of claim 54, wherein the lubricous coating comprise a PTFE coating.
 56. The assembly of claim 47, further comprising a dilator that is usable with the stylet for selective use there-with to form a stylet assembly.
 57. The assembly of claim 46, further comprising a dilator that is usable with the supporting member to form a supporting member assembly for selective use there-with.
 58. The assembly of claim 46, wherein the substantially flexible energy based puncture device comprises an RF guidewire.
 59. The assembly of claim 47, wherein the substantially flexible energy based puncture device comprises: an RF guidewire; wherein the RF guidewire is capable of being selectively usable in co-operation with the stylet during a portion of the procedure; and wherein the RF guidewire is usable independently from the stylet during another portion of the procedure, to facilitate puncture of tissue.
 60. The assembly of claim 46, wherein the supporting member is shapeable to enable it to be removed from the puncture device to enable a curve of the supporting member be re-shaped to be reinserted therewith, in order to optimize the position of the assembly against a target tissue site.
 61. The assembly of claim 47, wherein the stylet is shapeable enable the stylet to be removed from the substantially flexible puncture device to enable a curve of the stylet be re-shaped to be reinserted therewith, in order to optimize the position of the assembly against a target tissue site.
 62. The assembly of claim 57, wherein the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device comprises a device radiopaque marker at a distal end of thereof; and the supporting member assembly comprises a supporting assembly radiopaque marker at the distal end of a supporting member assembly; wherein the device radiopaque marker is configured to co-operate with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker to indicate a relative position of the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device.
 63. The assembly of claim 62, wherein the assembly comprises: a first configuration, where the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device is positionable within the supporting member assembly such that the device radiopaque marker is in alignment with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker, and a second configuration, where the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device is advanceable within the supporting member assembly such that the device radiopaque marker is substantially out of alignment with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker, Wherein misalignment of the device radiopaque marker with the supporting assembly radiopaque marker indicates positioning of an energy delivery portion of the flexible energy based puncturing device beyond the supporting member assembly for positioning against a target tissue site for puncture of tissue.
 64. The assembly of claim 46, wherein the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device comprises an RF guidewire.
 65. The assembly of claim 46, wherein the assembly further comprises a locking feature to allow the flexible energy based puncturing device to be coupled to the reinforcing member to form a needle assembly to allow the flexible energy based puncturing device to be selectively usable with the reinforcing member, to provide feel of a needle while enabling use of the flexible energy based puncturing device.
 66. The assembly of claim 47, wherein the flexible energy based puncturing device comprises an RF guidewire where the assembly further comprises a locking feature to enable the RF guidewire to be coupled to the stylet to allow the RF guidewire to be selectively usable with the stylet, to provide the feel of a needle while enable use of an RF guidewire.
 67. The assembly of any one of claims 1, 11 and 14, wherein the substantially flexible energy based puncturing device comprises an RF guidewire comprising a distal electrode tip.
 68. The assembly of claim 67, wherein comprises a distal electrode tip that is substantially atraumatic to reduce a pressure exerted on the tissue.
 69. The assembly of claim 68, wherein the distal electrode tip comprises a substantially dome-shaped electrode tip that is substantially atraumatic to reduce the pressure exerted on the tissue.
 70. The assembly of claim 67, wherein the RF guidewire is provided as a 0.035″ wire.
 71. The assembly of claim 67, wherein the RF guidewire comprises a J-tip wire.
 72. The assembly of claim 67, wherein the RF guidewire comprises a pigtail wire.
 73. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the supporting member comprises a substantially blunt distal tip to provide a substantially atraumatic distal tip.
 74. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the reinforced dilator comprises a substantially blunt distal tip to provide a substantially atraumatic distal tip.
 75. The assembly of claim 74, wherein the reinforced dilator comprises a substantially thick distal wall along the distal tip, where the distal tip is defined by a rounded distal tip edge.
 76. A needle assembly for puncturing tissue, the needle assembly comprising: a flexible puncture device for puncturing tissue; and a stiffening member for supporting the puncture device: wherein the puncture device is capable of being selectively usable in co-operation with the stiffening member during a portion of the procedure and wherein the puncture device is usable independently therefrom during another portion of the procedure, in order to puncture tissue and to enhance procedural efficiency by facilitating exchange and positioning.
 77. The needle assembly of claim 76, wherein the flexible puncture device comprises a mechanical puncture device.
 78. The needle assembly of claim 76, wherein the flexible puncture device comprises an energy based puncture device.
 79. The needle assembly of any one or claims 77 or 78, wherein the flexible puncture device comprises a substantially atraumatic tip.
 80. The needle assembly of claim 77, wherein the flexible puncture device comprises a relatively sharp distal tip.
 81. The needle assembly of claim 76, wherein the stiffening member comprises a reinforcing member.
 82. The needle assembly of claim 5, wherein the mechanical puncture device comprises a sharp distal tip for puncturing tissue.
 83. A method for puncturing tissue, the method comprising the steps of: (i) accessing a region of tissue within a patient's body by advancing a device into the region of tissue; and (ii) Positioning the device at a target tissue site in the region of tissue by tracking a supporting member over the device to support the device to advance the device towards the target tissue site in order to position the device at the target tissue site for puncturing; wherein the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using the same device, wherein the device is usable without the supporting member during the step of accessing and wherein the device is usable with the supporting member during the step of positioning.
 84. A method for puncturing tissue, the method comprising the steps of: (iii) accessing a region of tissue within a patient's body using an access device; and (iv) positioning a device at a target tissue site in the region of tissue by tracking a supporting member along with the device along a path defined by the access device to support the device to advance the device towards the target tissue site in order to position the device at the target tissue site for puncturing; wherein the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using separate devices, wherein step of accessing is performed without the supporting member and wherein the device is usable with the supporting member during the step of positioning.
 85. The method of claim 83, wherein the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using a puncture device.
 86. The method of claim 83 further comprising a step of: puncturing through the target tissue site using the device after the step of positioning, wherein the supporting member supports the device during puncturing; Wherein the steps of accessing, positioning and puncturing are performed using the same device.
 87. The method of claim 86, wherein the steps of accessing, positioning, and puncturing are performed using a puncture device.
 88. The method of claim 83, wherein the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using a puncture device.
 89. The method of claim 86, further comprising a step of: anchoring the device after puncturing through the target tissue site by retracting the supporting member, to maintain access through the target tissue site to the other side of the target tissue site, in order to allow one or more additional device to be tracked over the device to the other side of the target tissue site; Wherein the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the same device.
 90. The method of claim 88, further comprising: a step of anchoring using the puncturing device by retracting the supporting member after the step of puncturing through the target tissue site, to maintain access through the target tissue site to the other side of the target tissue site, to allow one or more additional device to be tracked over the device to the other side of the target tissue site; and Wherein the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using the same device.
 91. The method of claim 89, wherein the step of anchoring is performed by removing the supporting member that comprises a reinforced dilator.
 92. The method of claim 89, wherein the step of anchoring is performed by removing the supporting member that comprises a stylet.
 93. The method of claim 90, wherein the step of puncturing is performed using a needle assembly comprising the supporting member coupled to the puncturing device, the supporting member comprising a stylet coupled to the device, where the step of anchoring comprises holding the needle assembly in position, unlocking the puncturing device and advancing the puncturing device to anchor and retracting the stylet.
 94. The method of claim 89, wherein the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using a puncture device.
 95. The method of claim 90, wherein the steps of positioning, puncturing and anchoring are performed using a puncture device.
 96. The method of claim 89, wherein the method for puncturing tissue comprise a method for carrying out a transseptal puncture, wherein: the step of accessing the region of tissue comprises advancing the device into a superior vena cava; the step of positioning the device at the target tissue site comprises dropping the device down from the superior vena cava into a heart of the patient to locate a fossa along a septum of the heart to position the device at the fossa; the step of puncturing through the target tissue site comprises puncturing through the fossa to gain access to a left side of the heart; and the step of anchoring to maintain access through the target tissue site comprises advancing the device through the fossa to the left side of the heart to maintain access to the left side of the heart.
 97. The method of claim 90, wherein the step of puncturing through the target tissue site comprises, advancing a needle assembly comprising a device and the supporting member comprising a stylet coupled thereto, to the target tissue site, puncturing through the target tissue site, and advancing the needle assembly until a stop within a dilator, to enable the device to be advanced to the puncture position, in order to the puncture through a septum at a fossa.
 98. The method of claim 89, wherein the step of positioning comprises: tracking a supporting member comprising a reinforced dilator over the device to support the device to position the device as the target tissue site.
 99. The method of claim 98, wherein the step of positioning comprises: tracking a supporting member comprising a reinforced dilator over the device to support the device to complete a drop down to position the device at the fossa.
 100. The method of claim 89, wherein the step of positioning comprises the steps of: tracking a supporting member comprising a stylet over the device to support the device to position the device as the target tissue site.
 101. The method of claim 100, wherein the step of positioning comprises the steps of: first tracking a supporting member comprising a stylet over the device to support the device to complete a drop down to position the device at a fossa.
 102. The method of claim 90, wherein the step of positioning comprises the steps of: advancing a sheath and dilator over the device into a superior vena cava; and advancing a supporting member comprising a stylet over the device to support the device to position the device as the target tissue site, where advancing the supporting member comprises advancing a needle assembly comprising a stylet that is coupled to the device using a locking feature, to support the device to complete a drop down to position the device at a fossa.
 103. The method of any one of claims 83 to 102, wherein the device comprises a flexible puncture device.
 104. The method of claim 103, wherein the device comprises a flexible guidewire.
 105. The method of claim 103, wherein the device comprises a flexible energy based puncture device.
 106. The method of claim 103, wherein the device comprises a flexible RF guidewire.
 107. The method of claim 103, wherein the device comprises a flexible mechanical guidewire having a relatively sharp distal tip.
 108. The method of any one of claims 83 or 84 further comprising repeating the steps of accessing and positioning until the device is positioned at the desired target tissue site prior to the step of puncturing.
 109. The method of claim 108, wherein repeating the step of positioning further comprises reshaping a curvature of the supporting member after removing the supporting member, and re-tracking the supporting member over the device.
 110. The method of claim 109, wherein the supporting member comprises a reinforcing member, and wherein the step of positioning is performed using the reinforcing member.
 111. The method of claim 110, wherein the supporting member comprises a reinforced dilator wherein the reinforced dilator comprises the reinforcing member, wherein the step of positioning is performed using the reinforced dilator.
 112. The method of claim 110, wherein the supporting member comprises a stylet wherein the stylet is the reinforcing member, wherein the step of positioning is performed using the stylet.
 113. The method of claim 83, wherein the steps of accessing and positioning are performed using a flexible RF guidewire.
 114. The method of claim 87, wherein the steps of accessing, positioning, and puncturing are performed using a flexible RF guidewire.
 115. The method of claim 94, wherein the steps of accessing, positioning, puncturing, and anchoring are performed using a flexible RF guidewire.
 116. The method of claim 113, further comprising the step of: Visualizing the flexible RF guidewire using a mapping system during the steps of accessing and positioning.
 117. The method of claim 114, further comprising the step of: Visualizing the flexible RF guidewire using a mapping system during the steps of accessing and positioning.
 118. The method of claim 115, further comprising the step of: Visualizing the flexible RF guidewire using a mapping system during the steps of accessing, positioning, and anchoring.
 119. The method of any one of claims 113 to 118, wherein the mapping system comprises an electro-anatomical mapping system.
 120. The method of any one of claims 113 to 118, wherein the electro-anatomical mapping system is usable with other echocardiographic imaging modalities.
 121. The method of claim 120, further comprising a step of switching between a mapping mode for each of the steps of accessing, positioning, and anchoring and a puncture mode for the step of puncturing.
 122. A method for puncturing tissue, the method comprising the steps of: advancing a flexible puncture device into a region of tissue; advancing a sheath and a supporting member over the flexible puncture device into the region of tissue; withdrawing the flexible puncture device into the supporting member, positioning the flexible puncture device, the sheath and the supporting member as an assembly at a target tissue site in the region of tissue; Applying pressure on the target tissue site to tent using the supporting member, advancing the flexible puncture device to puncture position; creating a puncture in the target tissue site and advancing the flexible puncture device through the puncture; and advancing the sheath and supporting member over the flexible puncture device to cross through the puncture.
 123. The method of claim 122, wherein the method of puncturing tissue comprises a method for carrying out a transseptal puncture, wherein the region of tissue comprises a superior vena cava.
 124. The method of claim 122, wherein the flexible puncture device comprises an RF guidewire.
 125. The method of claim 122, wherein the supporting member comprises a reinforced dilator.
 126. The method of claim 123, wherein the step of positioning the assembly at a target tissue site comprises completing a drop down from a superior vena cava into a heart to locate a fossa on a septum of the heart.
 127. A method for carrying out a transseptal puncture, comprising the steps of: advancing an RF guidewire into a superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire into the superior vera cava to form an assembly; withdrawing the RF guidewire into the dilator, dropping the assembly down from the superior vena cava into a heart to locate a fossa on a septum of the heart; tenting the fossa using the dilator, advancing the RF guidewire to puncture position for puncturing the fossa; puncturing the fossa using energy delivered by the RF guidewire; advancing the RF guidewire through the puncture; and advancing the sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire to cross the sheath and dilator through the puncture.
 128. A method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture, the method comprising: advancing an RF guidewire into a superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire into the superior vera cava; inserting a stylet in the dilator until it reaches a stop; withdrawing the RF guidewire into the stylet; dropping down from the superior vena cava into a heart to locate a fossa on a septum of the heart; tenting the fossa using the dilator, advancing the RF guidewire to a puncture position for puncturing the fossa; puncturing the fossa using energy delivered by the RF guidewire advancing the RF guidewire through the puncture; advancing the sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire to allow the sheath and dilator to cross through the puncture; and withdrawing the stylet.
 129. A method is provided for carrying out a transseptal puncture, the method comprising: advancing a J-wire into a superior vena cava; advancing a sheath and dilator over the J-wire into the superior vera cava; removing the J-wire; inserting a needle assembly comprising a stylet and an RF guidewire within the dilator to a two finger position to form an assembly; dropping the assembly down from the superior vena cava into a heart to locate a fossa on a septum of the heart; tenting the fossa using the dilator, advancing the needle assembly to a puncture position; puncturing fossa and advancing the needle assembly through the fossa until the assembly comes in contact with a stop within the dilator, maintaining a position of the needle assembly while unlocking the RF guidewire from the stylet; advancing the RF guidewire through the puncture to anchor on an opposite side of the fossa; advancing the sheath and dilator over the RF guidewire to cross the sheath and dilator to the other side of the fossa; and removing the stylet.
 130. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the supporting member has a stiffness of about 0.0115 Nm² to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.
 131. The assembly of any one of claims 1, 11 and 14, wherein the substantially flexible puncture device has distal portion stiffness of at least about 3.57×10⁻⁶ Nm² to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly.
 132. The assembly of any one of claims 1, 11 and 14, wherein the substantially flexible puncture device has a proximal portion stiffness of about 0.00179 Nm² to enable force to be transmitted to a distal end of the assembly. 